The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:25 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) LION MAGIC has been consistent across his four starts so far with a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both at this distance and both times racing handy to the speed. He draws nicely here and today can be his day. That will mean overturning the form on (10) THUNDER PASSION, who came from well off the pace to finish 2nd to Lion Magic’s 3rd on April 20th. That was a big uptick in form at start number three, but he can build on it here. (8) GRAND MORE didn’t show much when favourite on debut but is worth another chance based on his strong trial. There are four debut-makers and of them (6) HAEUNDAE POWER and (1) CHOEGANG LOUIS showed the most in trials and have every chance of going well first up in this company.
| Selections | (2) Lion Magic (10) Thunder Passion (8) Grand More (6) Haeundae Power |
| Next Best | 1, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 6 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
After a couple of good trials, (2) JUST SHINY was a fair 5th on debut in a decent time over 1200M. He should have come on for that run, the slight step up in trip can suit as he was doing his best work late, and jockey Jin Kyum will be brimming with confidence following his Korean Derby win last week. (6) RAON FLATTER has been knocking on the door across her ten starts so far. She has a 2nd and most recently a 3rd at this distance and she should be there or thereabouts again. (1) GANGSEO GENIUS debuted in 6th place at this distance behind Raon Flatter a month ago. He comes into a much better gate and with some batural improvement can get closer. (8) BLACK SQUALL and (7) SHACKLE SUN others in the frame in a competitive affair.
| Selections | (2) Just Shiny (6) Raon Flatter (1) Gangseo Genius (8) Black Squall |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 3: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Strong race for so early on a Friday. (9) DOCTOR OSCAR was 3rd at this class and distance on February 28th, coming from off the pace. He was found to have bled so was stood down for a month, but he looked very well winning a trial last week in a quick time and so long as he didn’t leave his race there, has every chance. For the first time in a while (3) MAGARITA draws a good gate. All her three wins have come at this trip and while she has form to overturn on three of these who beat her on April 18th, she can get an easier run today and is a danger. (6) BORN DIA has done her recent work at further, but she has two wins and three placings at this trip and should be on pace and in this a long way – she will probably start as favourite. (2) DRAGON REVENGER and (7) JEOLDAE BOSS were two of those ahead of Magarita in that April 18th race and can both be in the mix again.
| Selections | (9) Doctor Oscar (3) Magarita (6) Born Dia (2) Dragon Revenger |
| Next Best | 7, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 6 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) WONDERFUL JONES was 3rd in Busan’s Classic Trial before finishing down the field in the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown last month. He steps back into much more amenable company today over a distance at which he got his win, and he can win again. (9) TUHON FIGHTER comes up in class having scored his maiden win over this distance on April 18th having raced handy. He has the challenge of a wider than ideal gate but he comes down 3kg in weight, and he can measure up. (3) RAINBOW ROAD enters off a 2nd place at class and distance on May 2nd and makes a quick return here with claims to go close again from a good draw. (4) BARBELL MOMO and (10) TRIPLE AXEL among others to consider.
| Selections | (7) Wonderful Jones (9) Tuhon Fighter (3) Rainbow Road (4) Barbell Momo |
| Next Best | 10, 11 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) DOCTOR KAREN got her maiden win at start number six on April 25th leading all the way over 1400M. She comes up in class but is down 3kg in weight, she can lead again, and she can win again. (11) GREAT TOP has run 3rd and 6th in two tries at this class since getting his maiden win at the second attempt in February. His win came from gate eleven and he can be a danger here. (3) HOLY RUN is yet to win but has six top four finishes from seven starts including last time out on April 11th, he beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 3rd place at this class and distance at big odds, coming from well off the pace. He can match or better that here. (6) ONE WAY and (10) UNJU LEGEND are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (8) Doctor Karen (11) Great Top (3) Holy Run (6) One Way |
| Next Best | 10, 5 |
| Fast Start | 7, 8, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
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