Next week will see the annual Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) break so that means this week there are a lot of races. The action begins at Busan on Friday with a 10-race card from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. The three that have raced once before all showed ability though and they’re going on top. (3) GEUMA DISTINCTION is the pick having showed well in trials and then finished 3^rd on debut over 1000M on August 13^th, settling midfield and stopping the clock in a quick time despite being a long way behind a good winner. The additional furlong can suit, and he’ll take some beating. (11) STRIKE ZONE similarly came from off the pace and ran 4^th on debut in a quick time over 1000M. He too should appreciate the step up in trip and while he has the challenge of a wide draw, can be a danger. (6) NONSTOP DUTY debuted at this trip and warrants consideration after a solid 4^th place in a decent time. Of he debut-makers, (10) RUNNING TREE is the pick having led for much of the way in his trial and finishing 2^nd in a fast time. (7) GUKDAE HERO another who caught the eye in his heat.

Selections	(3) Geuma Distinction (11) Strike Zone (6) Nonstop Duty (10) Running Tree
Next Best	7, 4
Fast Start	3, 5, 6, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

A regular maiden with three of the twelve racing for the first time. (1) RISE THE THRONE has raced twice, improving to 2^nd at his latest on August 27^th when handy throughout over this trip. He draws nicely to be on pace again and he could go all the way. (11) HWANGGEUMSEONG won a trial and then finished an on-pace 2^nd on debut over 1000M on August 13^th (beating Geuma Distinction from race 1). The only concern is the wide draw, but he shapes as a possible favourite here. (2) PURE DANCE has a 5^th and a 4^th from two starts so far and can continue on the right trajectory here from a better gate. (8) STORMING MAGIC and (6) DIA GRIT look potentially the best of the rest.

Selections	(1) Rise The Throne (11) Hwanggeumseong (2) Pure Dance (8) Storming Magic
Next Best	6, 10
Fast Start	1, 5, 10, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Another standard maiden and while they may need some luck at the start, the two drawn widest could be disputing it. (12) FANTASTIC DREAM was a much-improved 2^nd at start number two on September 1^st over 1200M. The wide daw shouldn’t be an issue, and the additional half furlong can be in his favour. (11) SUCCESS FLYING debuted in January, finishing midfield but didn’t race again until August 20^th. Newly gelded, he showed on pace over 1400M only weakening to 5^th late on. He should strip fitter for the run and can go close here. (6) BATTLE CRY ran a fair 6^th of twelve on debut with the margins not huge and he can be considered for improvement. (8) DOCTOR LICA and (2) YONGBI STAR among plenty of others with minor money chances.

Selections	(12) Fantastic Dream (11) Success Flying (6) Battle Cry (8) Doctor Lica
Next Best	2, 1
Fast Start	3, 8, 11, 12

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (6) CHARON TODAY did nothing on debut last year but returned nine months later to make all at class 6 level in July over 1200M. She stayed at that distance for her first go at this level and ran 2^nd to Jeongmun Specter on September 1^st. She doesn’t face anything like that calibre of opposition today and she should win. (11) DAMOA was a gutsy winner at start two on August 20^th coming from behind the speed to score in a good time at 1200M. She is up in class here and has the challenge of the widest gate, but she has a nice light weight, and she can measure up at what will probably be an each-way price. (9) WAITING FOR YOU has just the one win in fourteen starts but it was at this class, and she rarely runs a bad race. She should be in the mix again. (4) ROAD TO THUNDER and (1) SAMBA STEP others in the placing hunt.

Selections	(6) Charon Today (11) Damoa (9) Waiting For You (4) Road To Thunder
Next Best	1, 8
Fast Start	1, 4, 6, 11

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

It’s hard to go past (5) HANGANG CLASS here. So, we won’t. The favourite was a winner on debut over 1000M in July before running a good 4^th on his first try at this class and distance on August 27^th when close to the pace throughout. That day’s time was significantly quicker than anything else here has recorded for the distance and from a good draw, he will take some beating. (11) NUMBERONEPICK was a good winner at start number two over this distance on September 1^st. He overcame the same gate eleven that day and he should measure up at this class. (4) BEOMHAN GOLD is yet to win in three attempts but comes up in class after back-to-back runner-up finishes, both behind decent winners. He’ll be on or close to the speed here and isn’t to be dismissed. (6) AMUR and (2) MAGIC SWEETIE others to keep safe.

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