The first Group race of the year takes place on Sunday at Busan with the G3 Busan Ilbo Sprint, and it’s on the south coast where the week’s action gets underway on Friday with an 9-race card from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Maiden fillies with seven of the ten racing for the first time. (2) SUCCESS QUEEN was 7^th on debut last October, but a much-improved 2^nd at start number two over this distance on January 16^th when handy throughout. From a great draw, she will be on pace and won’t need to improve much, if at all, to win this. (5) NINETEEN NINE WON raced handy on debut to finish in 3^rd place in a similar filly maiden to this one. She should have come on for the run and can be in the finish again. (1) DEMETER made all to win her trial in a fair time and she looks to be the pick of the debut-makers. (10) DREAM BIG and (7) HUNTRIX others who hinted at ability in their heats.

Selections	(2) Success Queen (5) Nineteen Nine Won (10) Dream Big
Next Best	7, 6
Fast Start	1, 2, 4, 7

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) JEONGMUN SKIP has been getting closer, most recently running 2^nd in a slow race over this distance on February 8^th. The wide draw won’t be a problem, Franco knows her well, and she is the one to beat. (7) NONSTOP HUG hasn’t shown much in the way of speed so far, but she was a fair 3^rd at start number two over 1300M on Boxing Day. She hasn’t raced since but the step up in trip can suit and she can be a danger. (5) QUEEN WIND has mixed her form over three starts so far but does have a 2^nd place to her name and that’s enough to have her in the numbers here. Solitary debut-maker (3) DOCTOR HUNTER, along with (1) THEMIS are others in the frame.

Selections	(11) Jeongmun Skip (7) Nonstop Hug (5) Queen Wind (3) Doctor Hunter
Next Best	1, 8
Fast Start	2, 5, 8, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) ENCORE has been on pace in his latest outings before weakening slightly on each occasion. He cuts back in trip today, he draws nicely to be on pace again, and he can return to winning ways. (11) YOUNGYOUNG BRAVO has won his latest two, most recently at this class on January 30^th over 1400M. He is up 3kg in weight but should be firmly in the finish again. (3) TRIPLE J beat Encore when the pair came home 1^st and 3^rd over a mile at this class in December and with Seo Seung-un climbing on today, he is sure to have plenty of backers. (4) OASIS STAR is up in class following a maiden win and can measure up, while (12) GWANGSOKMA is another in the placing frame.

Selections	(1) Encore (11) Youngyoung Bravo (3) Triple J (4) Oasis Star
Next Best	12, 7
Fast Start	1, 4, 5, 11

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

(1) SUN LIGHT is yet to win in twelve attempts but has nine top five finishes and enters having beaten three of these on her way to 2^nd place at this class and distance on January 25^th. She does tend to get a bit far back in her races but today can be her day. (4) PORT MORE comes in having registered his maiden win at start six over a mile on February 1^st when he led from gate to wire. He is up in class and in trip today, but he’s down 3kg in weight and can measure up. (5) UNJU MAGIC was 2^nd to Sun Light’s 5^th when they raced one another at this class and distance in January. He struggled on his re-appearance at a mile in February but is worth another chance today. (2) BARBELL TROFEO and (9) TAEPYEONG FLEX others in the hunt.

Selections	(1) Sun Light (4) Port More (5) Unju Magic (2) Barbell Trofeo
Next Best	9, 11
Fast Start	2, 4, 8, 12

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (6) GOLDEN EMPIRE has won two of her latest three, most recently at 1300M on January 23^rd when making all. She is up in class here and while she doesn’t get a weight break as she only had 52kg that day, she looks to have potential for more progress. (4) CRYSTAL MULGYEOL is similarly up in class having led all the way to score at 1300M on January 30^th. She has placed at this distance too and can lead again and be in this a long way. (7) FLYING MENACE came home 2^nd at this class and distance at a big price on February 8^th and warrants more respect today. (10) QUEEN OF DRAGON and (5) FLASH RUN are the other main chances in a competitive race.

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