Month: February 2023

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 10)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday where there are 9 races from 11:00 to 18:00:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Debut-maker (6) BLACK MAMBA trialled very nicely, settling off the pace and then running on strongly to cross the line in front in a good time on a very wet track without being asked for very much. First up at 1300M should suit, and if he brings that form to the races, he has every chance.  (12) UNJU OREUM was much improved when stepped up to 1200M for start number two on January 13th, settling midfield, then dropping further back before running on well for 2nd. She was a long way behind a good winner but the additional half furlong can be to her benefit and the wide draw shouldn’t matter. (1) DALLILLAEYO has been knocking at the door in his latest couple with a 3rd place at 1200M followed by a 4th when tried at a mile. He draws nicely on the inside today and should be a threat. (4) HAERANG THE ONE and (3) FLYING AARON among others with placing chances.

Selections(6) Black Mamba (12) Unju Oreum (1)  Dallillaeyo (4) Haerang The One
Next Best3, 2
Fast Start2, 9, 10, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies. (7) GOLDEN WAVE will be a warm favourite, having run on an pace 2nd on debut over 1200M on January 6th, well beaten by a good winner but having had to overcome gate eleven. She had previously shown well in a trial and with some natural improvement from her debut, may take some beating here. (10) U PING is done no favours by the draw but should have enough speed about her to get a forward position. She has been on pace in both her 2nd and 3rd place from her two starts to date and shapes as the main danger to the favourite here. (11) AQUA MAGIC ran 4th behind Golden Wave in that January 6th race, having sat handy throughout. She is another not favoured by the draw but can go close. (6) HAPPY TAEYANG and (1) UNMATCHED are potential improvers.

Selections(7) Golden Wave (10) U Ping (11) Aqua Magic (6) Happy Taeyang
Next Best1, 3
Fast Start6, 7, 10, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Standard maiden here and while (6) WIDAEHAN SEONTAEK remains scoreless from eleven starts, he come sin off his best finish to date when 2nd over 1200M on December 18th when settling midfield and running on. The engagement of a 4kg claiming apprentice means he carries even less weight this time, and today could well be his day. (12) PLAY THE INDY also has a runner-up finish to his name, achieved two starts back over this distance. He weakened having led over 1300M at his latest outing last month but while he does draw wide, can be given another chance here. (1) DOCTOR SHARK is yet to be in the top two but has finished between 3rd and 5th in no fewer than six of her seven starts to date. She comes back in trip today and should be close once more. (10) WONDERFUL APPEAL and (4) TWOTWO FLYING among others who can enter the calculations.

Selections(6) Widaehan Seontaek (12) Play The Indy (1) Doctor Shark (10) Wonderful Appeal
Next Best4, 5
Fast Start2, 4, 7, 12

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) SPECIAL ROAD is yet to finish any worse than 3rd from three outings to date and got her win at class 6 level two starts back when making all over this distance in an all-filly maiden in a good time. She then ran a front running 3rd when stepped up to 1300M for her first try at this class, again in filly company. She draws a great gate, carries a light weight and has every chance of leading all the way again. (7) BUDDY BUDDY made all on his second start to win over 1000M before finishing 5th of eight in the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy for juveniles. He weakened late over 1400M on his most recent start n January 6th but should find this more suitable. (2) BEOLGYOUI KKUM is another all the way winner, his coming at start number two over this distance. He then led on his first try at this class over 1400M just two weeks ago, ultimately finishing in 4th place and is another who may appreciate the step back in trip. (5) DIABLO QUEEN and (8) PHANTOM ACE – the latter up in class here but one of few fancies who should be happy to take a sit and avoid a speed duel – others to consider.

Selections(1) Special Road (7) Buddy Buddy (2) Beolgyoui Kkum (5) Diablo Queen
Next Best8, 3
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 7

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies and mares only here and this lot really know how to mix their form so we need to catch one on a good day. That could be (12) SKY JEJUHYANG who seems to alternate good performances with poor ones. Her latest fell into the latter category but if we go on her showing two starts back when runner-up at class and distance then she has to be in with a chance. She does carry more weight than that day and has drawn wide but against this modest opposition, has as good a chance as any. (4) QUEEN OF SPIRIT is another who needs a line drawn through her latest effort but before that ran 4th and 2nd at 1300M and 1400M, both at this class. She tends to get a bit far back but similar runs to those two put her in with a winning chance here. (3) A. ONCE came out of gate ten and from off the pace to run 4th at class and distance on January 27th. She comes out of a better gate here and under a light weight, can be in the hunt. (1) KF OGONG and (5) TITAN K others who can place on their day.

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Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (February 5)

There is Sunday racing at both Seoul (11 races from 10:40 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 11:05 to 15:40). Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies in the opener. (8) META BLADE will be the favourite. Having run 2nd on debut over 1000M, she followed up with 4th and 3rd in two starts over today’s trip, last time out coming from midfield to finish off well. She can settle back again here and should be too strong. (4) JAEWOO SIDAE comes in off a promising 3rd place at this distance on January 8th. She’s not shown a whole lot in terms of speed but draws nicely here and an apprentice keeps her weight light. (10) YUKWAEHAN SARANG is done no favours by the draw but ran 4th, just half a length behind Meta Blade in November over 1200M. She followed up with a 5th on Christmas Eve and while she may need a touch of luck at the start, she has claims. (6) ÉCLAIR STAR and (7) CANDY GLOW among plenty of others in at least the placing frame.

Selections(8) Meta Blade (4) Jaewoo Sidae (10) Yukwaehan Sarang (6) Éclair Star
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start2, 4, 7, 10

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens with five of the ten racing for the very first time. (5) GOOD MAGIC will be favourite, based upon her runner-up finish on debut over this distance on January 8th when she sat just behind the early speed and while well beaten by a good winner, she stopped the clock in a decent time and with some natural improvement, should prove too good. The main dangers lurk in the first-time starters. (6) SINHAE MANGCHI went through three trials, winning the most recent of them in January when on pace throughout. If he brings that form to the races, he will go very close. (7) RAON STRONG looked well when 2nd in a trail late last November. He too can put in a bold showing first-up. Also looking good in trials was (10) BEOMHAN GOLD, who won a heat on January 7th when handy and running on. The draw isn’t ideal but with a touch of luck, he can be in this too. Returning to those with experience, (2) GLOBAL SARANG is perhaps the one with most potential to improve.

Selections(5) Good Magic (6) Sinhae Mangchi (7) Raon Strong (10) Beomhan Gold
Next Best2, 3
Fast Start3, 5, 6, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens with three of the ten racing for the first time. The only one who has shown anything resembling form is (6) JUMONG CHEONHA and he accordingly will be the odds-on favourite He was 4th on debut and then 2nd at start number two, both over 1000M. He hasn’t appeared for fourteen weeks, and he does come up in trip but if he runs at anything like his previous level, he won’t be beaten here. (1) RAON HOLIDAY has finished no better than 7th across four starts so far. He has run some fair times though from a good draw, won’t need to improve much to place here. Of the first-time starters, (5) THEME TANSAENG trialled up the best crossing the line 4th of seven back in November. That form in this race will see him close. (2) SSEULMO and (8) ARGO SMILE others who could potentially improve.

Selections(6) Jumong Cheonha (1) Raon Holiday (5) Theme Tansaeng (2) Sseulmo
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies and it’s a competitive race. (8) GOHEUNG CLASSS has raced three times, notching a 2nd place over 1000M before finishing 3rd on her first try over 1200M on January 6th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. She can lead or settle back and run on and the additional half furlong may well be to her benefit. (1) DUBAI PYEONGJEONG has made steady progress across her latest three appearances, culminating in a 2nd place over this distance on January 8th when overcoming the widest gate. Her style has been to settle back and run on, but she gets a great draw this time and can be a big danger. (10) FLYING DIA has run fairly for two 4th place finishes from her two prior appearances and should be aiming to match or better that here. (6) FLYING TOUCH and (9) MOVIE MORE among others with potential to improve.

Selections(8) Goheung Class (1) Dubai Pyeongjeong (10) Flying Dia (6) Flying Touch
Next Best9, 2
Fast Start3, 8, 9, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(6) SUPREME STAR will be expected to break through here. She hasn’t finished outside of the top-five across six prior outings and comes in off a smart 3rd place over this distance on January 7th when settling midfield and finishing well. She has run consistent times on her best form as shown so far, she can win. The main danger is (4) UNICORN KINGDOM His best finish so far is a 2nd place over 1000M two starts back but ran fairly on his first try at this distance on December 17th. He draws nicely here and should get an easy run to the speed and be in this a long way. The form falls off a bit after those two but (7) FOUR ACE enters off back-to-back 4th places, both at this distance and beating a couple of these in the latest of them. She should be aiming to match or better in this company. (2) ARGO MUJEOK has a 3rd place to his name two starts back and draws well here. (3) ARCH RIVER another with potential to improve.

Selections(6) Supreme Star (4) Unicorn Kingdom (7) Four Ace (2) Argo Mujeok
Next Best3, 9
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) DOCTOR TIFFANY was an all the way winner over 1200M on January 6th, winning by plenty. She comes up in class and boldly up in trip, but she comes down in the weights, draws very nicely, and she could win again. It won’t be easy though. (8) BARAMBARAM’s only disappointment to date came in the Breeders’ Cup champion juvenile race in December when slowly away and failing to get a foothold. He has two positive runs over 1400M though and the step up in trip may suit (10) GREEN PAPAGO is a model of consistency who is rarely far away and has beaten a few of these across her latest few outings. She should beat plenty again, (6) CHEONMA HASEO beat Barambaram when the pair ran 2nd and 4th respectively over 140M on January 13th. He doesn’t exactly win out of turn, but he knows who to pick up a minor cheque and has done so at class and distance on more than one occasion. (3) ROCK AND ROLL is up in class and in trip following a maiden win at start two over 1300M on January 6th. He comes down in the weights and draws well.

Selections(4) Doctor Tiffany (8) Barambaram (10) Green Papago (6) Cheonma Haseo
Next Best3, 11
Fast Start2, 4, 8, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

It’s hard to go too far past (8) WONDERFUL TIZZY here. He ran a good 2nd – albeit well beaten by a very good winner – over 1200M two start s back, before finishing an adequate 5th of ten in a slow race over 1300M on January 8th. Without the benefit of an apprentice claim today, he comes up 3kg in the weights but that’s balanced by Antonio climbing aboard, and in this company, he should be able to get a prominent position early and potentially lead all the way. (6) GOLD KAISER is yet to finish in the top two but has finished between 3rd and 5th on five occasions from her ten starts and that’s enough to put her in the frame here. Similarly (5) BEST PLAN has two 3rd places to her name, most recently three starts back in a good time over 1300M. Like every other runner, she comes up to the 1400M for the first time and she can be close. (10) MONEY STONE and (1) JANGHEUNG CLASS, the latter who perhaps could be most suited to the step up in trip, are others who can enter the calculations.

Selections(8) Wonderful Tizzy (6) Gold Kaiser (5) Best Plan (10) Money Stone
Next Best1, 3
Fast Start3, 8, 9, 11

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(1) WIND WINNER comes in having missed the top-four on only one of nine occasions so far. His latest saw him run 3rd over this class and distance when emerging from the widest gate on January 8th then racing midfield and running on. He carries the same weight today and from a much better draw, can win. Disputing favourite status will be (11) STAR MATTA. He too has been super-consistent and enters off a class and distance win on January 13th when prominent throughout and beating three of today’s rivals. The engagement of an apprentice jockey means he carries less weight this time and while the draw is a touch wider than ideal, he has every chance. (2) B.J. CHIEF was 6th behind Star Matta in that January 13th race having worked hard to get to the lead from the widest gate. The draw is much kinder today and the same apprentice keeps his carried weight light. (4) YONGCHEON comes up in class and in distance after a good win over a mile – beating B. J. Chief – in early December. He can measure up in this company. (10) SINJIN GANGHO another in the minor money frame.

Selections(1) Wind Winner (11) Star Matta (2) B.J. Chief (4) Yongcheon
Next Best10, 12
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 12

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(6) BEST SUN was a winner on debut over 1000M last October and comes in off a front-running 3rd place over this class and distance on January 7th. He will surely be on pace here and has every chance of going all the way. The primary danger is (3) SECRET PLAY. He got his win over 1200M two starts back when settling right back and running on before trying the same and ultimately finishing 4th on his first try at this class on January 8th. He draws well and the slight step up in trip should suit. (8) SMART POWER is another consistent type who may not win out of turn but is rarely far away. She comes back in trip after back-to-back 4th place finishes at 1700M and 1400M but has run quick times at 1200M too and is firmly in the money frame again. (11) CRAZY LOVE and (1) DAECHEON BEAUTY – the latter out of sorts last time out – are others who can enter the calculations.

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 4)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul where there are 12 races from 10:40 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens in the opener with five of the eleven racing for the first time. The favourite is the only one who has raced twice already. (3) RICH GATE was 5th on debut over 1000M in October before improving to 2nd when stepped up to 1200M at start number two on December 11th. From a good draw he can be on pace here and it should third time lucky. The most convincing dangers also have prior experience. (11) S.I. COCO overcame the same widest draw as today to go down a narrow 2nd on debut over 1000M on Christmas Day. It was a slowly run race, but he was doing his best work late and the step up in trip can suit. (8) SMARTY FIGHTER went through a plethora of trials before running 5th on debut at this distance, also on Christmas Day, and should benefit from the experience. Of the debut-makers (2) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA and (10) CHEONJI SKY look the most likely to make an immediate impact.

Selections(3) Rich Gate (11) S.I. Coco (8) Smarty Fighter (2) Heuimangui Changa
Next Best10, 5
Fast Start2, 3, 8, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies here with three of the eleven racing for the first time. (4) ANYANG POKKYEOKGI is set to be hot favourite, based on her latest two which both ended in 3rd place, most recently over this distance on Christmas Day when overcoming the widest gate to lead. From a much better draw, she should get a more comfortable run today and may take some beating. Clear second favourite is (5) LADY TAEPUNG. She sat handy on debut over this distance on January 7th, finishing 3rd in a slowly run race and with some natural improvement, she can get closer today. (9) FALL IN LOVE looks the pick of the first timers. She went through two trials, improving significantly in the 2nd when 3rd across the line in a fair time having sat midfield and run on. The distance should suit first up, and a bold showing is possible. (2) MUNHAK CENTRAL and (11) BARAMUI HYANGGI others in the frame.

Selections(4) Anyang Pokkyeokgi (5) Lady Taepung (9) Fall In Love (2) Munhak Central
Next Best11, 1
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens. (8) SAENAE KHAN comes in with a 2nd and two 4th places from three outings to date, most recently as beaten favourite over this distance on January 7th. He led that day on what was his first stretch out at further than 1000M and he can go all the way this time. That will mean overturning the form on (10) BULUI NALGAE, who has really mixed his performances across four starts so far, two good and two poor. He was 3rd in the January 7th race having sat right back and then made ground late on passing tired horses. He shapes as the danger here along with (5) GEOSEN CHAMP who like Saenae Khan, has run 4th in both his latest two. He posted a good time over 1200M two starts back and can settle back and run on here. The form drops off a bit after those three but (1) LEGEND K and (9) BLACK GUN have hinted at ability and can be place chances.

Selections(8) Saenae Khan (10) Bului Nalgae (5) Geosen Champ (1) Legend K
Next Best9, 3
Fast Start2, 3, 8, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A regular but very tricky maiden. There’s no clear favourite so we’ll take a chance on (2) TES MARY who has raced just twice, improving to 2nd on January 8th over 1200M when drawn wide and settling right back and running on. She draws much better here and should be running on strong again. (8) TWO ACE is yet to score in sixteen but has been ultra-consistent of late with a 2nd and two 4th place finished from his latest three. An apprentice keeps the weight light here and today could be his day. (11) JEONGWOO FOREVER is, like Tes Mary, another who can still have improvement in him. He has raced just three times and has finished no worse than 5th. He has finished off his races well and the step up in trip can be to his benefit. (1) BARAMSAL and the returning (3) ARCH SIN, who was on pace when requalifying in a trial a month ago, are among others who can place.

Selections(2) Tes Mary (8) Two Ace (11) Jeongwoo Forever (1) Baramsal
Next Best3, 12
Fast Start3, 5, 10, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) SUPER FINISH has finished no worse than 5th in four starts so far but remains a maiden. He is up in class here having got his second runner-up finish over this distance on Christmas Eve. He comes down slightly in the weights, draws very nicely and in a race that isn’t much stronger than he would have faced at class 6, he is the one to beat. It’s a very similar story with (6) GEUMSEONG SIDAE. He’s never finished any worse than 4th and comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes, both times when on pace and most recently over this distance on January 8th. He comes down 2kg in the weights and has solid claims here. (9) HIT POWER was a winner on debut over 1000M being finishing down the field in the Listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy. Though he could only mange 8th on his most recent outing at this distance on Christmas Eve, the time was good, and he beat a couple of today’s rivals. He should be much closer in this company. (4) COWBOY TANGO and (2) BIG SMART, the latter needing to be forgiven his latest effort, the logical other money chances.

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 3)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with a 9-race card from 11:00 to 18:00. Seo Seung-un, who rode a remarkable 14 winners in January, is suspended while You Hyun-myung had surgery following a fall last week and will be out for some months. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens in the opener and there will be a hot favourite. (7) DAHAMKKEDALLIJA has raced twice so far, finishing 3rd on both occasions most recently over this trip in a good time on January 13th when handy and running on. He will be up to class 5 with any top-three finish and can be expected to win here. (1) POWER PLANE was a much improved 4th at start number two over 1200M on January 8th settling back and running on. The additional half-furlong should suit and he gets a much better draw today. (2) SUPER KANEL also showed marked improvement on his latest appearance four weeks ago, running on for 2nd over this trip. With an apprentice engaged today he comes down significantly in the weights and should be going close again. (8) NAKDONG JEONSAN and (9) STORMY DAY others with the potential to improve.

Selections(7) Dahamkkedallija (1) Power Plane (2) Super Kanel (8) Nakdong Jeonsa
Next Best9, 4
Fast Start2, 8, 10, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

More three-year-old maidens and another hot favourite. This time it is (9) MY MANTRA. After running 5th of twelve over 1000M on debut in November, Peter Wolsley’s filly was an on pace runner-up when stepped up to this trip on December 18th. Despite being drawn a touch wide, she can be on pace again and should be too good for this lot. (8) DOCTOR CUCKOO comes in having run a very solid time over this distance on his latest start on January 15th. His 4th place that day, coming from off the pace, was his best so far and he can continue to make progress here. (7) HONOR LORD raced twice over 1000M late last summer. He comes in here having looked very well across two trials and will be backed first-up. There are two first time starters and both (4) GREEN LEGEND and (2) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL did enough in their trials to suggest they can measure up in this somewhat limited company. Both should be on pace from good draws.

Selections(9) My Mantra (8) Doctor Cuckoo (7) Honor Lord (4) Green Legend
Next Best2, 1
Fast Start2, 4, 8, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Standard maiden here. (7) SOUTHERN JOY has been relatively consistent across her five outings to date and her runner-up finish on her latest start on January 6th when she overcame the widest draw to settle midfield and run on for 2nd place is enough for her to get the nod here. (2) FAST FURY could only manage 6th when well supported in the same race, but she previously ran the quickest time of all of these at the distance when runner-up back in October. She should be on the speed again here and can be in this a long way. (11) THEIA ran fairly for 5th on debut over 1300M on January 13th. She should have come on for that experience and with some natural improvement may offer some value at an each-way price. (6) GOLDEN RACER and (8) ALPHA BRAVO are others who have demonstrated ability and can be in the money frame here.

Selections(7) Southern Joy (2) Fast Fury (11) Theia (6) Golden Racer
Next Best8, 12
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 9

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

It could be thirteenth time lucky for (3) YEOSU TORNADO here. He’s been knocking at the door in his latest few and most recently got his first runner-up finish when overcoming a wide draw to sit handy to the speed and then run on over this distance on January 13th. He draws much better today and a similar run can see him home on top. The main danger looks to be (7) ARTHUR KING IJI. He was 3rd in that January 13th race on what for him too was his first try at a mile having raced prominently throughout. He has three-lengths to find on Yeosu Tornado but perhaps has more scope for further improvement than the favourite. (12) HAMAN BAEIKISAN was 5th in that race having settled back and running on when it was too late. He was runner-up at this distance two starts back and with the same apprentice keeping the weight down, he can run into some money again. (1) ECTON POWER and (6) SPECIAL FACT among others in the placing frame.

Selections(3) Yeosu Tornado (7) Arthur King Iji (12) Haman Baekisan (1) Ecton Power
Next Best6, 8
Fast Start2, 4, 7, 9

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

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