The first of four days of Christmas racing is on Friday with 8 races from 12:10 to 18:00. (There will be 7-race programs at Seoul on Saturday and Sunday with Busan also contributing 10 races on Sunday before Seoul hosts a standalone 12-race Christmas Day meeting on Monday). Here are Friday’s previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Jockey Choi Eun-gyeong had a field day last Friday and she can keep her good run going here with (5) GREAT MAN. After a nondescript debut in August, he had three months off and then looked much better when stepped up to this trip and running 4^th on November 5^th having led throughout. His time was much quicker than anything else here has managed and he should be on pace and can go all the way. (2) SEKWANG CHOEGANG has been slow away in both starts do far but has shown a good turn of foot. He draws nicely here and if he can be a bit closer a bit earlier, he can be a danger. (10) BREEDO WIZARD was well fancied on debut having trialled well and he put in a fair performance in 4^th place over this distance on October 20^th. He comes in here fresh and can build on that today. (8) FLYING ACE has been back to trial since his poor debut and could be a different prospect this time. (11) ARION KING another in the frame.

Selections	(5) Great Man (2) Sekwang Choegang (10) Breedo Wizard (8) Flying Ace
Next Best	11, 6
Fast Start	5, 8, 10, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) BEAT DRAGON will be a short-priced favourite here. He ran 4^th on debut over 1200M in October before being 2^nd at 1400M on November 17^th when settling back and running on well. Seo Seung-un climbs aboard and from a good gate he can settle behind the speed and go one better this time. (2) TAEPUNGUI CHUKJE comes in off best finish to date o f2nd over 1200M on November 19^th when midfield and running on well. He comes up to the 1300M for the first time and it can suit. (1) YONGBI CHEONWANG enters off back-to-back 4^th place finishes over this distance racing on pace both times. There isn’t much early speed in this race so from the inside gate, he should get an easy run to the lead, and he can be in this a long way. The form falls off significantly after those three, with (8) TWOTWO MONEYGUN and (7) SPRIT FIGHTER perhaps the best of the rest.

Selections	(5) Beat Dragon (2) Taepungui Chukje (1) Yongbi Cheonwang (8) Twotwo Moneygun
Next Best	7, 3
Fast Start	1, 4, 7, 8

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) WISE KING ran once, all the way back in January, and won very easily over 1200M. He has been through two trials, in October and in November, finishing 2n din both in quick times. He should therefore be match fit enough, he draws nicely, and he can win first-up here. (3) BEST CHAMP got his win at this distance back in September. He was back in the pack when slowly on his first try at this class in October but returned to form with a runner-up finish over 1200M on November 24^th. The start is important for him and if he can be on or close to the pace, he has every chance here. (9) BEST LEADER comes up in class having scored her maiden win at start number five at this distance on November 19^th when on pace throughout. Her time was good, and she can measure up in this company. (6) ACHIMUI HUIMANG will need to be taken on trust racing for the first time since August but along with (4) BURUI JEWAMG, is another to consider.

Selections	(1) Wise King (3) Best Champ (9) Best Leader (6) Achimui Huimang
Next Best	4, 2
Fast Start	1, 4, 8, 9

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(7) AUTUMN BREEZE is the one to beat here. She made her breakthrough at start number five on November 17^th when she made all over this distance, scoring aby a full ten-lengths and stopping the clock in a fast time. She comes up in class here, but that win had been coming and the manner of it suggests that she has plenty more in the tank. This isn’t an especially strong race for the level and that means (6) SANGIM STAR, a distance runner-up to Autumn Breeze in that November 17^th race, could get closest again. She comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes at this distance and under a light weight, she has the potential for more improvement having only raced four times. (4) HAVE A GOOD YEAR is another up in class. He returned from five months off on November 19^th to make all over this distance and from a good gate can be on pace and in this a long way. Among those with experience of this class already. (8) GLORY SONG and (1) BEST WIND are probably the best of a limited set.

(more…)