Day: March 12, 2025

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 14)

We’re set for an absolute treat on Sunday when the Road to the Korea Cup gets underway with the G3 Herald Business Trophy at Seoul as in the absence of Global Hit, arguably the sixteen next best horses in the nation all line up in what should be one of the most competitive races in a very long time. Before that though, the weekend’s action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:25 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Success Baekpa will be one of the Busan raiders at Seoul on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

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

Maiden fillies. (4) QUEENS DRAGON has raced twice, improving to 2nd place in a similar race to this on February 23rd when on pace throughout. She draws well to be on pace again, she can be peaking third up, and she can go one better. There are three debut-makers and (11) OH FANTASTIC was the best in her trial, leading every step of the way and crossing the line plenty of lengths to the good in a fair time She has the challenge of a wide draw, but if she brings that form to the races, she will be close. (7) TWOTWO PERFOR showed on pace on debut, ultimately running 4th over this distance. She should have come on for that run and can be in the mix here. (6) HOLIDAY QUEEN came through the same heat as Oh Fantastic and while eight-lengths adrift, showed enough to suggest ability. (5) QUEEN RACE another in the frame.

Selections(4) Queens Dragon (11) Oh Fantastic (7) Twotwo Perfor (6) Holiday Queen
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start1, 4, 7, 11

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

Tricky maiden. (8) THE NOMINATE did nothing in one appearance last May and didn’t run again until January when a solid 3rd place over 1200M. She could only manage a midfield finish when well supported on February 16th, but she looks nicely in here and can be fitter for those two runs. (1) SPEED BOY came from well off the pace to run a much-improved 4th over 1400M on February 9th. He comes into a much better gate and in this company can match or better that today. (11) SUN JAE was similarly significantly better on his most recent outing, in his case his third, on February 16th when settling back and running on for 4th. He too can come on for that run and the wide draw shouldn’t be an issue. (4) GWANGPUNG STAR and (7) HOUND POKER look best of a mediocre rest.

Selections(8) The Nominate (1) Speed Boy (11) Sun Jae (4) Gwangpung Star
Next Best7, 2
Fast Start2, 3, 11, 12

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) CHAMP SONNY ran 5th on debut in January before beating a few of these on his way to 3rd place at start number two over 1400M on February 16th. He has been doing his best work late, the step up to a mile can suit, and third up he can be peaking. (12) BARBELL MOMO has a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both at a mile and most recently beating a couple of these on February 21st. (4) INDY GHOST was 6th behind Champ Sonny on February 16th but came into that race having run 3rd in both her previous outings. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time and she will have plenty of backers to get closer today. (5) BAEDARI BOSEOK and (10) PINOT POWER are among plenty of others with at least placing hopes in a competitive race.

Selections(1) Champ Sonny (12) Barbell Momo (4) Indy Ghost (5) Baedari Boseok
Next Best10, 6
Fast Start3, 5, 9, 10

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) GREAT TOP ran 3rd on debut over this distance on January 10th before getting his maiden win at start number two at 1300M on February 14th, leading pretty much all the way having overcome gate eleven. He comes up in class but is down in the weights, he comes into a better gate and with Seo Seung-un as ringmaster, he can win again. (8) SIX HERO has five top five finishes from seven starts with his best being a 2nd place at this distance two outings back. In this company he should be on or close to the pace and he shapes as the main danger. The form falls off rapidly after those two. (1) BROWN ROOKIE has finished midfield in both starts at this class since her maiden win in December but draws nicely here and can be a place chance. (7) SINHAE MANGCHI and (5) TENGRE, the latter who can at least be replied upon to be on the speed, others who can challenge for the minors.

Selections(3) Great Top (8) Six Hero (1) Brown Rookie (7) SInhae Mangchi
Next Best5, 9
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 8

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies only and it is a very good race. (10) CHRYSOL HERO got her maiden win two starts back and then ran 2nd on her first try at this class over 1300M on February 14th, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. She comes up 2kg in weight but had little trouble with gate ten last time and she should win again. (8) SUCCESS GOLD got her maiden win at start four having gone progressively closer in the previous three. She’s up in class but fairly weighted and she looks to have more to offer. (5) BLACK TREE is also up in class after a maiden win, in her case over 1200M on February 23rd when racing handy. She comes down 2.5kg in weight and can measure up here. (2) CANCAN STEP and (11) MUSKET GIRL among plenty of others in at least the placing frame.

Selections(10) Chrysol Hero (8) Success Gold (5) Black Tree (2) Cancan Step
Next Best11, 1
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 8

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

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