The “Balkan Wolf” has returned to Korea. Djordje Perovic, begins his second stint riding in Korea at Busan on Friday where the former Seoul Champion Jockey has four rides on the 15-race card which runs from 11:30 to 18:00. The meeting will be held behind closed doors.

Perovic is back – this time at Busan

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

Juvenile maidens kick the weekend’s action off with four of the twelve having raced once before. The race sees a return to Korea for jockey Djordje Perovic who had a successful few years in Seoul and it’s not impossible he could start with a winner. (5) BAEK SEOL QUEEN is one of those with previous experience having run 4^th on debut at this distance on July 3^rd. She was well back behind the winner but should have come on for that and can improve. Putting in a similar debut a couple of weeks earlier was (2) YEONGWON POWER, who came from off the pace to also run 4^th at the same distance. There are loads of chances among the newcomers, many of whom trialed up very similarly. (12) WINNER’S MAN is the first foal from a dam who won six times in Korea and was nicely bred herself. He trialed well albeit on a sloppy track and looks nicely in first-up. (9) BAEK PUNG and (7) TWO TWO WILD THING both showed a bit of speed while (10) B. K. LOOKS also showed some promise.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

More juvenile maidens with again four of them having raced once each before and the remaining eight making their debuts. (8) TOP MATE put in a good shift on debut on June 19^th, running on for 2^nd behind good winner Happy Witch. It was a decent performance in a useful time, and he looks the one to beat here. Experience should also be beneficial for (4) WORLD CHEONSA, who ran 3^rd in that very same race. She showed at the front early and is likely to do the same again from a nice draw. Seo Seung-un climbs aboard in what is another plus. The first-timers didn’t exactly pull up trees in their respective trials but there were positive signs from the likes of (3) LUCAS SUN and (9) CENTUM THOR.

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Ten three-year-old maidens go here, seven of them fillies. It’s a colt who may be the pick though with (2) GABO TODAY resuming for the first time since December. He ran well in that race before the layoff, his second career start, ending up 3^rd of 12 over 1000M running on strong. He went through a trial just last Saturday, posting a fast time and he has every chance of a first-up win today. (10) QUEEN VRONSKY showed promise when 3^rd on debut at this distance on June 10^th, coming from off the pace and running on well. The wide draw shouldn’t be an issue and she’s a chance here. (6) TOP LUCKY weakened late on over 1300M three weeks ago having led for much of the way and may appreciate the slight drop back in trip today. She’s well drawn to get to the front once more. (1) WONDERFUL SMARTY showed little in four starts before the shutdown but has trialed up well since and can improve today. Similarly, (7) GEUMA GOOD POINT has raced just the once and can aim for a fresh start here having shown some promise in trials.

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

After winning a trial, (3) GREAT GOOD ran 2^nd on debut behind a horse who ran in a ridiculously fast time for the 1000M, Smart Value. Great Good herself ran well too and she won’t have to improve much on that, if at all, to win here. The extra furlong should only be in her favour. (11) SEUNGNI QUEEN is the only other one in the race who has troubled the scorers so far. That was a 2^nd place on what was her latest start in February and while she didn’t catch the eye when trialing in June, she may have enough about her to challenge for a place again. (6) ACHIM BIT debuted reasonably well in 6^th place behind Great Good three weeks ago and can be in the frame here. Likewise, (10) SECOND WIND didn’t do too much wrong on her debut either and has a platform to build on today. (9) CRONUS too is sure to have his backers to improve given the trainer/jockey combination.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

More three-year-old maidens, none of whom have shown very much in their respective outings to date. (5) DAESEUNG E ran creditably enough for 4^th place on debut at this distance on June 26^th. The time wasn’t fast but it’s a solid foundation to build on and in this limited company, she can get closer. (3) OMEGA GIRL was similarly slow when 4^th at 1200M four weeks ago having briefly touched 2^nd place in the home straight. That experience should be beneficial and there can be improvement. (9) SUN ALPHA never got going on debut and finished well back behind a very good winner. He had previously shown a decent turn of foot in trials so we’ll draw a line through that debut and give him another chance today. Similarly, (7) WIND PARK weakened on debut behind Daeseung E but had previously won a trial and shouldn’t be written off just yet. In a race with very little in the way of early speed, she may well get to the front.

Race 6: Class 6 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 25 Million

The speed map in the sixth looks very limited with the majority of the field flat-footed out of the gates. (4) JANGSAN PRIDE goes on top based on a good trial during the hiatus. He has had the two starts with eighth his best performance to date. The two races he lined up in were 2yo races where there were some handy types. This is a weak race and if he is going to show us something, it will be in this event. (2) CAPSTONE is another yet to show much with the filly’s best (more…)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with a 15-race behind closed doors fixture from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

Only three of the nine in the opener have raced before and conveniently for us, all three went in the same race over this distance on June 19^th. The best of the three was (3) TOP MATE, who came from just behind the pace to run on strongly for 2^nd. It was a solid run and he can go one better today. (9) WORLD CHEONSA was prominent all throughout that race, briefly striking the front in the home straight before ultimately coming home in 3^rd place. The filly has drawn wide again but has claims to at least match her performance from last time. (5) K K WON came home in 5^th place in that race and he too can improve. There are, however, a couple of useful looking first-timers. (4) WINNER’S MAN recorded the fastest trial time although that was aided by a wet track. (2) DAEHO PYEONGJEONG and (6) B.K. LOOKS, the latter partnered by Jo In-kwen, who rode Top Mate on debut, are others who should go well first-up.

Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The three-year-old runners line up in the second all looking for their maiden victory. (9) TOP QUEEN looks a big chance as she lines up for her second career start. The Cowboy Cal filly finished second on debut behind Thunder Vegas in November last year. She trialed in a fair time back in May, with some mild improvement on the trial she looks the one to beat. (11) MAEUM DAERO has had a run since the racing hiatus where she finished fourth behind Smart Value. She was beaten a big margin but clocked a time that should see her competitive in this event. (10) GLOBAL SEUNGNI has had the one career start where he was tested over the 1200m on debut. The Testa Matta gelding was beaten eleven lengths by a handy one in Goblin on that day, this is a much easier assignment so don’t let the margin bother you. (2) GRAND YEOWANG performed well in a trial leading into this preparation. She looks the best chance of the well drawn gallopers.

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens go around here with all but one of the full field of twelve having raced at least once before. Four of these raced each other over 1000M on June 19^th in the very first race back after the shutdown. (2) GOLD MAGIC finished the best of them, running on well for 3^rd, a long way behind a decent looking winner but not far off the runner-up. The way he ran that day suggests the additional furlong can be to his benefit and he looks a serious chance here. (10) SWEET BAND and (11) ALPHA HEART came home in 4^th and 5^th respectively in that race, with the former especially hitting the line well and both should be involved at the business end of the race today. (1) MORNING THUNDER improved across three starts before the break culminating in a 2^nd place finish. He looked well when winning a June trial and comes straight into contention. (5) BAEDARI SUNSHINE was less impressive in his trial but also has a 2^nd place to his name and is likely to be on speed early here. The Wildcard is (8) YEONGGWANGUI START, who hasn’t raced since September of last year, but he did show promise and was a trial winner in the Spring. He’s another who should sit on the pace early. (6) A. ONCE weakened over 1400M two weeks ago but is better than that and today should be more suitable.

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million 

Another batch of maiden gallopers face the starter in the fourth where the main chances come from the early speed. (9) ECHO GOOD is the on top selection after finishing fourth to My Queen on debut. The winner on the day in My Queen romped in winning by five lengths. While she looks a very handy galloper, Echo Good looks one that can improve and be a main player in this event. (3) HUIMANG SOYEO handed in a much-improved effort last time out when third behind King’s Landing. Whilst it was back in January, a similar performance can see her figure once again. (10) MILE QUEEN has managed to finish fourth twice from her five career starts. At her last start she finished fourth behind Haeundae Thunder where she was beaten seven lengths. With some improvement she is another capable of finishing in the placings as this is a much weaker event. (6) ARA MYUNGMA has finished in the minor placings on two occasions from ten starts. She trialed up in good time but looks a place chance at best.

Race 5: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Tricky race as nothing enters with much in the way of convincing form. The best might be (7) B.K JOHN. He’s certainly the only one who has a runner-up finish to his name, and it was recorded on his most recent outing. However, that was all the way back in April of 2019. He did though look good in a trial in April of this year and can be considered. If you prefer your form a touch more recent than (4) PORRIMA is the one to go for. He’s from the track’s top stable and he surely builds on the 4^th place he achieved on debut at 1400M just two weeks ago. (5) DALGI didn’t catch the eye in a recent trial but knows how to come from off the pace with a late run and can hit the board while it’s a similar story with (11) GRAND CAPTAIN, who doesn’t have much in the way of speed about him but can plod into the money in this company. (3) SEONGSIL SONYEO did nothing in two starts before the shutdown but did well in a May trial and gets a fresh start today.

Race 6: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The three-year-old maidens go over the 1300m where the field is inexperienced. (3) ROYALIST looks the one to beat coming off a last start third behind Smart Value when lining up for his first start two weeks back. The three-year-old was beaten a significant nine lengths on debut but clocked a quick time, with the winner of that particular race looking a handy type. With a severe (more…)

There was a brief glimmer of light at the beginning of the week when the government gave to go ahead to the professional baseball and football leagues to begin admitting spectators to stadiums from as early as this Friday. The hope was that this could be quickly extended to the racecourses where strict bio-security and distancing measures are ready to be enforced. That hope was quickly extinguished with the rise of new “cluster infections” in the middle of the week with baseball and football having immediately had their approval put on hold.

Accordingly, this weekend’s racing will once more be run without spectators and without betting, the latter of which is unsustainable for very much longer. The races, while unavailable to loyal Korean punters, are, however, available to overseas bettors through the usual simulcast partners. There are 15 races at Busan on Friday from 11:30 to 18:00.

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

A small field of eight first-time starters get Friday’s card underway, tackling the minimum distance of five furlongs. The fastest in trials was (8) KKOTGWA BARAM, who despite weakening late on, still managed to hold her own in a heat that included Baengmunbaekdap. The widest gate may not be ideal, but she most likely doesn’t need to lead, and she has fair claims here. (2) YEONGGWANGUICHUKJE also looked competent when trialing at the end of May, running on strong late to post a respectable time and to warrant consideration first-up. (5) MY STAR trailed up along with some decent horses and didn’t look out of place when recording a by no means poor time while (6) GALLANT WARRIOR and (7) DOCTOR TAKE also hinted at some promise and can give a good account of themselves.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The three-year-old maidens go over the short course in the second event on the card. (9) FANTASTIC BOY lines up for his debut performance coming off an eye-catching trial. The Old Fashioned colt was piloted by Lee Sung-jae when working through the line strong. He was given minimal urging by rider Lee and looked to have plenty left in the tank. (11) HALA NURI looks the main danger, trialing well in May. The filly was allowed to free roll by Cho Si-dae who rides her in the event. She did have one start back in January where she finished midfield. (7) SMART BIJIN improved at her second trial and looks a place chance. She is by Daishoten winner Smart Falcon and it may take a couple of runs to see what she really has to offer. (6) MUJEOK YONGBYEONG has had a couple of starts back at the turn of the new year. He improved at his second start to settle behind the leaders and finish off fairly.

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens line up here with seven of the twelve racing for the very first time. Of the five who have prior racing experience, (9) STING is the only one to have troubled the judges, running 2^nd on what was his third career start in February on a muddy track over 1000M. He ran on pleasingly enough and the additional trip today has the potential to suit. Jockey Park Jae-I became a father for the first time on Wednesday and he has a fine chance on debut-maker (10) GEUMGANG JEONGGI. A solid performer across three trials, the first all the way back in January and the most recent just a couple of weeks ago, he looks very much ready to run. The jockey is likely to send him to the front from the gate and he could be the one they need to beat. (4) CHOEGANG HUNTER and (6) QUEEN FLYING both offered next to nothing in two and one prior starts respectively. However, in May trials, both looked to have befitted from the time off and should be much better prospects this time around. Among the other debutants, (11) MR. FUSION looks the pick.

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The fillies line up over the six furlongs in the fourth where there appears to be only a handful of chances. (9) FASHION KEY looks a speedy type who can perform well fresh. She has lined up in stronger events than this and accounted for herself well. The trial was good, and she will have one of Busan’s best in Seo Seung-un on her back. (10) NORTHERN DREAM trialed up well back in April. She did place two starts back over the five furlongs and then backed it up with a fair performance in February before the hiatus. The concern is where she ends up from barrier ten. (3) BARAMEUI WOOLLIM lines up for her first start as a four-year-old. She won a trial back in February when qualifying in good time then finished midfield in a trial against the older horses. (4) HONOR QUEEN will have her second start after finishing midfield on debut over the 1000m. She never looked a winning chance but held her own, with some improvement she can run into the minor money.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Maidens again here but plenty of form to go around. (1) PINEUI KKUM has finished no worse than 6^th in six appearances so far with a best of 2^nd. That came at 1000M, but he has finished 3^rd at this distance as well. He has disappointed as favourite on a number of occasions, but he looked well in a May trial and this really should be his day. (8) ALPHA STAR ran 2^nd on June 19^th, well beaten by the very promising debut-maker My Queen. He should have come on for that run and gets a quick turnaround here. He’ll be on pace early and can go close. Looking to overcome being drawn in the car park to get to the front early will be (12) MILLION MAKER. He led for much of the way over 1200M on his second career start back in February only to get overhauled late on. He too looked well in a trial just last Saturday and presuming he didn’t leave his race in that heat, he has a big chance here. (10) ACE JACKPOT hasn’t shown much in the way of speed but has hit the board a couple of times at this level and has placing claims.

Race 6: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A compact field of maiden gallopers line up in the sixth where there is a lack of early speed. (2) CHEONNYEONUI GIL lines up for her sixth start after an average trial in May. The Tiz Wonderful filly has finished in the top five on four of her five starts including a last start third behind Gold Candy. She was beaten a big margin that day but Gold Candy does look to have ability winning at her next start by ten lengths in a stronger grade. (3) TIZ LINE appreciated the step up to the mile for the first time last start, finishing second behind Borne Matta. He trialed in April and only beat a couple home, with a slow time. We will include him on the strength of his last run. (7) BAEDARI CAPER is a twenty-nine start maiden but is capable of running into the minor money. He is drawn to sit midfield and have every chance of collecting a cheque. (6) TOP OF THE GIRL has mixed her form since starting her career in August last year but based on her trial in May where she clocked a good time, she is worth including.

Race 7: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(6) MASTER KING was a good winner over 1300M all the way back in November last year. Although he didn’t get a chance to make his class 5 debut before racing was halted in February, he certainly looked the part when leading for most of a trial at the start of June. Look for him to get on pace early and potentially lead all the way today. (9) MAN OF THE WORLD’s final run before the shutdown saw him come home 4^th when sent off as favourite over 1000M on February 14^th. He is yet to win but has a 2^nd place to his name at 1300M and was similarly fast in a trial two weeks ago. He will be challenging for the early lead and has every chance of making the breakthrough here. Another maiden is (10) BANJIUI MAGIC. He returned to action two weeks ago running a solid class and distance 4^th and should have come on for that run. Another (more…)

The monsoon has arrived in Korea this week and while most of the weekend is forecast to be dry, a significant amount of rain has already fallen across the peninsula so look out for wet track conditions. Racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 15 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Racing continues to be behind closed doors. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

A pretty hot maiden to kick things off with plenty of these having shown promise in trials. (1) SMART VALUE went through two heats, most recently in March, when he led all the way to come home first in a fast time on a dry track. Drawn in the inside gate he can work forward under Jo In-kwen and can go very close. The only other trial “winner” is (11) GREAT GOOD. Thomas Gillespie’s filly came from just behind the early speed in a May heat to cross the line 1^st, pulling away and needs to be taken seriously today. (9) MAEUM DAERO improved across two heats and he trainer and jockey combination will ensure she gets plenty of support. (6) ROYALIST and (7) ACHIM BIT are others who showed ability in their trials and have every chance of performing well first up.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

The second on the card will see the Korean-bred two-year-olds line up over the 1600m, all of which are on debut. There was a lot to like about the trial of (1) DOCTOR FASHION last month. The Old Fashioned colt bounced out in good style and led the field well into the straight. The older gallopers eventually gobbled up the chestnut but he was never fully asked for by his rider, he finished a couple of lengths behind handy three-year-old Save The World. Expect You Hyun-Myung to work forward from the inside draw and prove hard to catch. Archarcharch filly (9) NAMED showed a nice turn of foot in her trial. Francois Herholdt, who was aboard for the trial and will ride on Friday let her find her feet before improving just before the turn. She hit the line well and finished just behind the on top elect Doctor Fashion. (2) HEAT YEGAM clocked a fair time in his trial in wet conditions. The Take Charge Indy colt was given a couple of backhanders to keep him running through the line strong, which he did and a forward showing would not surprise. (5) HUIMANGUI SORY is next best after a fair trial performance where he lost touch early before running on well in the straight.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Twelve maidens go around here with precisely half the field lining up in a race for the very first time. Of the experienced ones, only (12) TOP LUCKY has managed to hit the board so far, doing so on her second start back in January when she ran 3^rd over 1000M. Her subsequent trial was competent enough and stepping up in trip today, she may be considered. (1) TAMNA HWANGHU showed very little in two starts at the start of the year but looked significantly more competent when trialing three weeks ago and the addition of Jo In-kwen aboard can only be a plus. (9) PILSEUNG IJI meanwhile has experience of racing at this distance and also looks set to improve. As for the first-timers, (8) WIND PARK won a trial at the end of May and accordingly brings herself straight into contention against modest opposition here, while (6) CRONOS offered few clues in his heat but the stable means he is sure to have supporters.

Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million 

The Korean-bred maidens line up again over the 1400m in the fourth where they’ve all previously raced. (9) PAI BLADE is the on top selection here on the basis of his recent good trial. The lightly raced four-year-old had his first run mid last year and has not been seen on race day since. He trialed late April and did everything right, finishing third and clocking a good time under hands and heels from Franco Da Silva. (4) JEONSEOLUI FIGHT has had four previous starts where his best performance came at his most recent start finishing fourth over 1200m. He clocked a fast trial for this grade in May and looks one that is ready to fire early. (3) CHOEGANG CLEAR is the most experienced galloper engaged with fourteen starts under his belt. He only beat one home in his trial but he ran into some handy ones in his heat. This is not a strong race and he is capable of picking up a minor cheque. (8) A. ONCE looks a place chance based on her trial. She was under the stick for the last furlong and clocked a fair time.

Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(10) TRIPLE MAGIC ran through the line strongly for 2^nd on what was his second appearance on the racecourse in February. He looked well when trialing in April and the step up in trip today should suit. He looks the one to beat. (11) BLUE SIGNAL ran competently enough in two January outings and while she didn’t show much in the way of speed, she ran on gamely enough to suggest that she can tough out 1400M as well. She’ll most likely be steadily away and pass a few late on. (7) BEAUTIFUL GALLOP managed a 3^rd place behind Great Boss on her final start before the shutdown. She too hasn’t been quick but looked lively in a trial and is another who may appreciate the extra distance. (8) MARK STAR defied lengthy odds to run 2^nd over 1200M back in January and is another who ran a touch quicker than expected in a trial. He can come from off the pace and cause problems late on. There is one solitary debut-maker. (4) PORRIMA was no better than average in her heats but average may well be good enough to hit the board in this limited company.

Race 6: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million 

The maiden gallopers go over the mile in the sixth where their 1000m trial efforts aren’t all that helpful in gauging their condition. (3) BLUE EMBER lines up for her sixth start after showing some improvement at the start of the year. The chestnut trialed well after settling near last before going through her gears in the home straight, working through the line well. Franco Da Silva has a good draw to work with, she should be able to settle (more…)