Day: May 2, 2024

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

It’s Korean Oaks weekend and the action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11: 50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Last year’s Oaks winner Jeulgeounyeojeong won the Ttukseom Cup last week (Pic: KRA)

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and (2) GRAND CHASER will be the one to beat. She ran 2nd on debut on Christmas Eve before running a fair 5th of eleven when favourite on her return in January when she was impeded in the straight. She comes in fresh here and from a good draw, should win. (11) YEONGGWANGUI ROSE has hinted at ability across three starts so far. She has the challenge of the widest gate here but with a bit of luck at the start, she can find a forward position and be in this a long way. (3) MOTHER WONDERFUL comes in off a (admittedly distant) 3rd place over 1300M at the end of last month and can be in the mix again. (4) QUEEN’S FLETAR and (6) ONE WAY others in the hunt.

Selections(2) Grand Chaser (11) Yeonggwangui Rose (3) Mother Wonderful (4) Queen’s Fletar
Next Best6, 10
Fast Start2, 3, 5, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) WHITE FALCON returned from four months out to run a fair 4th over 1200M on April 12th having settled right back. She has bled in the past but has shown ability with her best being a runner-up finish back in December. She has the fastest time among these for the distance, Moon Se-young climbs up, and she should strip fitter for that outing three weeks ago. The main danger is in the adjoining gate. (4) ONEULISUNGAN has a 3rd and a 5th in two starts so far, most recently beating a couple of today’s rivals over 1400M. Third-up she can be peaking fitness wise and is a real chance here. (7) ALICE MARINE ran 2nd over this trip two starts back. She’ll be on pace here and should be in it a long way. (6) NAEPYEON and (5) GWANGSOKMA others to consider.

Selections(3) White Falcon (4) Oneulisungan (7) Alice Marine (6) Naepyeon
Next Best5, 8
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 7

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) BLACK EAGLE enters off her best finish to date when 3rd over 1400M on March 29th. She settled right back that day and ran on so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she will be the one to beat here in this limited field. (2) SEUNGNI GITBAL ran an improved 4th place when stepped up to this distance on April 5th, also settling back and running on, and that’s enough to make her the danger here. There is not early speed in the race so that may allow (7) ILCHUL GOLD to be further forward today and with Tanaka up, she can improve on recent performances. (4) JOJOBA and (1) FLYING ICE, the latter having been back to trial since an underwhelming debut, others in the frame.

Selections(9) Black Eagle (2) Seungni Gitbal (7) Ilchul Gold (4) Jojoba
Next Best1, 8
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) MOUNTAIN DADDY got his maiden win in March when making all over a mile, before stepping up to this class and distance on April 5th and beating a few of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place. He comes up only slightly in the weights and from a good draw can be on or close to the pace here and will be expected to win. (9) WITH STAR loves coming home in 4th place, somethings he has done in each of her latest four starts and on seven occasions in total. She was (of course) 4th behind Mountain Daddy in that April 5th race but she has a sharp finish on her and really should be closer this time. (3) OVER THE TRIPLE and (4) QUEEN’S ROAD will need their respective latest efforts overlooked but both can be competitive in this company. (8) SEOGWI OREUM another place chance.

Selections(2) Mountain Daddy (9) With Star (3) Over The Triple (4) Queen’s Road
Next Best8, 7
Fast Start2, 4, 7, 8

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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