The weekend’s racing kicks off at Busan on Friday with a 9-race meeting from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 5 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies with five of the twelve racing for the first time. (12) VICTORIA CHUKJE was 2^nd on debut over this distance on November 28^th, settling midfield and finishing off well in what was a slow race. She has the challenge of the widest gate here but should have come on for the run and can go one better. (10) DUBAI CANDY was a fair 3^rd on debut, running on. It was an even slower race than Victoria Chukje’s, but she too should have derived benefit. Turning to the first-timers, (2) NORTHERN QUEEN was a handy 4^th in her heat and from a good draw can be on pace here. (4) YEOUN and (7) NINETEEN NINE WON others who hinted at ability in their heats.

Selections	(12) Victoria Chukje (10) Dubai Candy (2) Northern Queen (4) Yeoun
Next Best	7, 5
Fast Start	2, 5, 7, 8

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Small but useful field. (1) DOCTOR CHRIS has finished in the top three in all five starts so far and was an all the way winner over this distance at class 5 level in October before running 3^rd on his first try at this class on November 28^th. He can lead here and this time got home in front. (5) FLYING THE KHAN has a win and three placings at this distance, most recently 3^rd on December 12^th when racing three of today’s rivals. He is under a light weight, Seo Seung-un climbs on, and he has to rate as a chance. He will need to overturn the form on (8) BACKTOTHECHAMPION, who was 2^nd in that December 12^th race at big odds on his first start since September. He can strip fitter for that effort and warrants respect. (4) BLUE POINT and last start winner (7) TRIPLE DREAM others to consider.

Selections	(1) Doctor Chris (5) Flying The Khan (8) Backtothechampion (4) Blue Point
Next Best	7, 2
Fast Start	1, 2, 6, 7

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) PISTOL CUT’s maiden win had been coming, and it arrived at start number three over this distance on December 12^th when she led all the way. She is up in class here, but she draws well to lead again, she is down in weight, and she can go back-to-back. (3) APDOJEOK NUMBERONE beat three of today’s rivals on his way to 2^nd place at this class and distance on December 12^th, settling back and running on. Leaving himself a bit much to do has been a characteristic but he gets a 4kg claim and should be in the finish. (2) DAEHOMA runs every couple of weeks and while perhaps not a winning chance, can match his 3^rd place on Boxing Day with a better gate to boot. (6) CRUELLA and (5) ILLUSION are perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Selections	(4) Pistol Cut (3) Apdojeok Numberone (2) Daehoma (6) Cruella
Next Best	5, 8
Fast Start	1, 4

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported three-year-old maidens with five of the eleven making their racing debuts. (4) EUNHASU is the only one who has raced twice, following up a 5^th place on debut with a close 2^nd at this distance on December 12^th, coming from off the pace and almost getting up. He may have a fitness edge on his rivals here and he can go one better. (3) TRIBAL WAR led all the way to win his trial in a fair time. The Mineshaft colt draws nicely here and with Franco booked, can put in a bold showing. (2) ONE LAST MARGARITA went through two trials, winning the second of them (it was voluntary so may not be in all racecards – he came out of gate 10 to score in 63.5 seconds). He can be nice and fit for this and be a danger. Returning to the experience, (1) GYEONGBOK STREGA and (10) TYCANTHUNDER debuted together on November 28^th, and both have potential.

Selections	(4) Eunhasu (3) Tribal War (2) One Last Margarita (1) Gyeongbok Strega
Next Best	10, 5
Fast Start	1, 3, 5, 10

Busan Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) DOCTOR ACE has made progress across his six starts to date with his latest his best when 2^nd to Pistol Cut (who we should have seen in race 3). He was beaten six-lengths, but in this company, he should be on or close to the pace, and he can win. (8) YONGBI SHARK hasn’t yet managed to match the 2^nd he managed on debut, but he comes in off a decent 4^th place on December 19^th over this distance and can shape as a danger here. (4) FANTASTIC SANTA ran 5^th on debut, also on December 19^th, running on pleasingly enough and with some natural improvement, can get closer. (6) ROYAL CRYSTAL, and the solitary first time starter (1) WONDERFUL MUD, are other place chances.

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