Friday sees the Korea Premier Series return and with it the more eagerly awaited reappearance of the unbeaten Roshe, who heads a full field of sixteen in the Kookje Shinmun Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Busan. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 9 FRIDAY RACES AT BUSAN.
ROSHE is a perfect six from six and the three-year-old American import is yet to be troubled in any of his outings to date, including when he stepped up to Group company for the first time in the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) in June when he recorded a facile ten-length win.
He hasn’t raced since, and while the Seong Sang-hyun trained Roshe did miss a scheduled trial a week ago, he had already come through one earlier in October and under regular jockey Jang Chu-youl, he should have too much for this field.
Several come out of creditable efforts in the international Korea Sprint over 1200M last month. They include MUNHAK BOY, who won this race last year before losing form completely. That slide may well have been arrested by a big 4th place in the international race, and he has Seoul Premiership leader Kozzi Asano aboard.
WINNER CLEAR, SILVER RAIN and HAKSAN SPEED also come out of the Korea Sprint while SUPER FINISH was 3rd in the international race last year and was a strong class 1 winner over this trip at the end of August. All will be backed on a place line.
GANGSEO GIANT and BIWOL are set to be the next bests. Here is a full run down of the field:
1. SUPER FINISH – Four-time winner over the distance most recently at the end of August at class 1 level. Beaten late on a very wet track when seemingly about to win but somehow finishing 4th two weeks ago. Good draw to lead and to be in this a long way. Place chance.
2. SINUI EREUM – Four-time winner whose recent form has been cold and whose rating as just dropped back to class 2. Big outsider here.
3. SILVER RAIN – More a 1200M horse, he was a fair 8th of sixteen in the Korea Sprint in September, prior to which he was 2nd in very quick race at class 2 level. Well-drawn to sit handy and while not favoured, he can beat plenty.
4. MAENGNYONG – A bit of a wildcard. He jumped up from class 3 to class 1 in May and won at this distance before finishing a decent 6th behind Roshe in the Owners’ Cup. Hasn’t raced since but won a trial in fine fashion on October 15th and 1400M is his go. Each-way chance.
5. SUNNY ROAD – Has been racing in Listed or equivalent company recently and has been well down the field. As won over this distance but on current form it is hard to see him making an impact in this company.
6. WINNER CLEAR – Second in two legs of the Sprint Series before running 6th in the Korea Sprint itself, each time settling well back and running on. He hasn’t ad much joy at 1400M but the way he has finished off recently suggests he is ready for another go. Second favourite.
7. BRUG KINGMAN – All five of his wins (and all but two of his starts) have come over this distance and up to class 2 level. 4th behind Biwol and Gangseo Giant on his first try at class 1 on September 6th suggests he has plenty to find in this company.
8. HAKSAN SPEED – Drew dreadfully in the Korea Sprint and never played a role but was 3rd in the SBS Sports Sprint in April. 2nd on only previous try at 1400M a long time ago. Runs well when on or close to the speed.
9. COSMO RUN – Lightly raced seven-year-old mare but she is yet to win at higher than class 3 level and her best finish over 1400M is 4th at class 2 two starts back. Big outsider.
10. MUNHAK BOY – The defending champion. After winning this race a year ago, his form went very cold, but a 4th place at odds in excess of 100/1 suggest that he may be coming back. Hard to recommend for a win but if he runs to that Sprint performance, he can place.
11. BIWOL – Missed almost a year up until this May and has been excellent since returning. Enters off back-to-back wins at class 1 level, most recently over this distance on September 6th over this distance. Place chance here.
12. STAR MATTA – The veteran ran an excellent – and unexpected – 3rd in the Owners’ Cup in June but has been well beaten in three starts since and will be among the outsiders again today.
13. ONEULISUNGAN – 4th over this distance at class 1 behind Maengnyong in May but has been midfield in two starts since at 1800M. Two-time winner over this distance. Not the worst here but not among the favourites.
14. MAGIC POTION – A winner of eight from fifteen, he is somewhat all or nothing with only one other top five finish. First start since May and unproven at 1400M, he has loads of ability and looked well in a trial, but this is a hard ask first up, especially from the wide gate.
15. ROSHE – Six from six so far and by wide margins, notably his first Group success in the Owners’ Cup since March. He hasn’t raced since then but trialed well at the start of this month and despite the wide draw, at anything near his best, he should win comfortably.
16. GANGSEO GIANT – Returned from six months out in September and has run 3rd and 2nd at class 1 over this distance and 1200M. Three-time winner and five-time placer over this distance, she can track Roshe to a decent position and can be in the finish.
| Selections | (15) Roshe (6) Winner Clear (10) Munhak Boy (4) Maengnyong |
| Next Best | 1, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 8, 10, 14, 15 |
