The 2026 racing season gets underway on Friday at Busan with 9 races from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

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

Three-year-old maidens kick off the 2026 racing year with five of the twelve racing for the first time. After a decent trial, (8) OASIS STAR ran fairly enough for 5^th on debut over 1300M on December 5^th despite laying out from the 800M. He should have come on for that run and a little less green today, he can win. (6) SEONGSIL DREAM was a solid 4^th on debut over this distance on November 23^rd, sitting behind the speed and running on. He too should have come on for the run and is a contender here. After a good start. (4) POWERFUL RUBY knocked up very quickly on debut, finishing well down the field. She previously won a trial and gets another chance here. Of the debut makers. (7) TAESAN SHINHWA and (9) GRAND HERO perhaps look best.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) BULBIT GANGJA has made progress across three starts so far, with his latest his best when 2^nd at 1200M on November 23^rd racing much further forward than in his previous two starts. Expect similar tactics today, and he can go one better. (6) JEONGMUN SKIP raced once in July without distinction. He looked well when an on pace 4^th in a quick trial two weeks ago, and he couldn’t have asked for a better race to reappear in. (5) YEOSU LOOK AT STAR was an improved 4^th at start number eight on December 7^th and that’s enough to have her in the numbers here. (4) HWARYEOHAN SUNGAN and (3) MY BEST perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) SO GOOD has placed at this distance and enters off a 4^th and a 6^th, the latter over 1800M, in two starts back since a couple of months off. Third-up he can be peaking fitness-wise and from a good draw and under a light weight, he can win. (5) QUEEN AND SERVE was a somewhat surprising winner two outings back at this class and distance. She couldn’t back up in her latest when laying out abruptly in the home straight but while she loses an apprentice claim here, she gets Tanaka’s experience, and she can be a danger. (1) GWANGYAEUIHAMSEONG mixes his form, but this is the kind of race he can pick up a cheque in under a 4kg claimer. (9) LEMON TREE and (6) DRAGON DEVIL are other chances.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(6) ACE SUN had a difficult day at the office when well supported over 1400M on December 5^th, stumbling at the start before using up plenty of energy to get forward and then not seeing out the trip. Prior to that, he had registered a win and two 2^nd places and back in trip today, he is worth another chance. (7) HANNAM QUEEN similarly needs a line through her latest when scarcely being involved over 1300M on December 7^th. She was on a run of three consecutive placings at this class and distance before that and she too can be better today. (5) JJAK SARANG beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 5^th place at class and distance two weeks ago and that’s enough to have him in the mix here. (4) WHITE STAR and (10) WONDER MOCCASIN other place chances.

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

Competitive race. After finishing 3^rd and 2^nd in two runs in the summer, (11) BEOLMAUI GANGJA returned to action on December 5^th and got his maiden win, racing on pace all the way. He comes up in class and does have the challenge of the widest gate, but he can strip fitter for that run and can win again. (8) AEGIS CROWN is up in class having scored his maiden win over this distance on November 30^th. He is down in weight and can measure up in this company. (1) GWANGSOKMA is more experienced and while he has won just one of twenty-two starts, his recent form has been consistent, and he can be in the finish here. (2) TIGER MONSTER and (10) HOLY RUN the other main chances.

There is a 9-race Boxing Day card at Busan from 11:15 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with five of the twelve racing for the first time. The experience gets the verdict though with (11) YOUNGYOUNG BRAVO on top. After running 4^th on debut, he came back out on November 30^th and was a very close 2^nd over this distance, showing handy throughout. He draws a touch wider than ideal but should go one better today. (9) BAMTORI BAMBAM has a 4^th and a 3^rd from two starts so far, most recently at this distance on December 12^th. Third up he too can be peaking and can get closer. (1) YONGBI JJANG looks the pick of the debut makers having won a trial in November. From the inside gate he can be on the speed and in this a long way. (10) GOAT MAN too hinted at ability in his trial and can go well first up. Returning to the experience, (3) POWERFUL THUNDER can improve on a fair debut.

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

Fillies only in this maiden and it’s wide open. (7) DOKKI TIGER debuted over 1200M on November 16^th settling back and running on well for 5^th. She should have come on for that run, the step up in trip can suit, and she has as good a chance as any here. (5) MOMENTUM has a fair 5^th and 6^th from two starts so far, both at 1200M and from a good draw is another who may appreciate that distance rise. (8) QUEEN THE GOLD is the most experienced in the race and while that’s not really a good thing in a maiden, she does come in off a 3^rd place over 1200M on December 12^th and she can aim to match that in this company. (4) BREEDO QUEEN STAR and (2) MYEONGPUM PLAY are others in the frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) BEAT BOY has shown progress across three starts so far, most recently 4^th when stepped up to a mile for the first time on November 21^st and racing handy throughout. He should have derived benefit from that experience and won’t need to improve much on that effort to win here. (3) FLYING SHOOTER was a much-improved 3^rd over 1300M on December 5^th, coming from midfield. He tackles 1600M for the first time and with an apprentice keeping his weight very light, he can be a danger. (7) TAMNA BRAVO comes in having run 4^th at 1300M on November 30^th. He has been doing his best work late and is another who can take to the extended distance. (6) FINAL ATTACK and (10) FLYING ICE among others in the frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(6) DAESEONG GOLD was an all the way winner over 1000M on debut and was then 4^th on his first try at this class on November 16^th when on pace again. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time, he draws well in the centre to lead again, and he should go all the way. It took (2) SEOGWI CREST plenty of trials to make it to the track, but it was worth the weight as he scored on debut on November 14^th at this distance racing handy. She is up in class but down in weight and she can measure up. (5) SONGJEONG TODAY and (7) ROAD TO CLEO have identical records of having won on their debuts before finishing 6^th on their respective first tries at this class and both can be aiming to improve today. Veteran (11) DAEHOMA can sneak some minor money in this kind of race.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) SEOBU DANCING returned from four months out to run a fair 5^th over 1200M on December 12^th. He has placed at this distance before and stripping fitter for that run, he has every chance here. The danger and probable betting favourite is (2) FANTASTIC EAGLE. He got his maiden win at start number two over 1200M in October and has since run 5^th and 4^th in two tries at this class, most recently at this distance on November 28^th. He is up slightly in weight but Seo Seung-un stays on and he can win. (11) MAGIC SHOW is up in class following three consecutive 3^rd place finishes. She comes down 3kg in weight, she evidently liked this distance last time, and she can make for some each-way appeal. (6) SING FOR ME and (5) DOCTOR MATTERS others in the hunt.

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:15 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After winning a trial, (2) POWER TREE has been the beaten favourite in both his starts so far, finishing 2^nd and 3^rd at 1200M, racing handy both times. Drawing well, he can be on pace again, the step up in trip can suit, and he can win. (1) RICH ONE was 5^th on debut before improving to 2^nd when stepped up to this distance on November 14^th. He was well beaten by a good winner by in turn, he soundly defeated a couple of today’s rivals and that experience of the trip can stand him in good stead. (9) ONE PLUS ONE led for much of the way around on the way to a significantly improved 2^nd place at this distance on November 23^rd. He has the challenge of the widest gate but can be in the finish again. (8) GLORY WIND and (3) B K. ELDER other place chances. 

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with five of the twelve racing for the first time. (3) FAPPI BABE ran 3^rd on debut over this distance on November 21^st, settling back and running on. She should have come on for that and has as good a chance as any here. (8) FANTASTIC BOSS similarly ran on from midfield for 3^rd place on debut on November 7^th. Seo Seung-un stays on and he will be well-backed again here. (1) DAEROUI BIT completes a trio of horses who ran 3^rd on their respective debuts, in her case over this distance on November 28^th when on pace throughout. From a good draw, she can lead again and can be in this a long way. (5) BORYEONG THE QUEEN was a fair 6^th on debut and can improve while among the first timers, (7) FANTASTIC SANTA looks to have the best chance of an immediate impact.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

A very modest maiden. (2) YONGBI SHARK was poor last time out (like most of these were) but was found to be slightly lame after so we’ll give him a pass. It only kept him out of work for a few days and going on his prior form which yielded a 2^nd and a 5^th, he can be given another chance here. (3) CARAT KING was an improved 3^rd over 1200M two weeks ago, coming back from over two months out. They strike again while the iron is at least lukewarm, and from a good gate, he can be in this. (4) DIA X has offered relative consistency across ten starts so far and in this company, he should be at least placing. (6) RAMO RIDE and (5) COME ON GLORY are not especially convincing, but in this company, can be aiming to be close.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) TOHAMSAN DRAGON is yet to finish any worse than 3^rd and was a winner at this class over 1300M in October when leading all the way. He was 3^rd on his first try over this trip on November 28^th having been handy throughout, and he can win here. (6) B K. SPIRIT is up in class following her maiden win over 1200M on November 23^rd when making all and winning by as many as she pleased. She is down in weight, she should be on pace again, and she can more than measure up. (11) CHEONGCHUNEUNJAYU is also up in class after a facile win over 1200M on November 7^th. That win had been coming after a 3^rd and a 2^nd from his first two outings and down 3kg in weight, he too can go well at this class. Plenty of others are in the frame with (4) GEUMSEONG and (3) SCYTHAI sure to be well supported too.

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

(6) WIND ROSE returned from a couple of months off at the end of October and has recorded back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1300M, showing on pace both times. She’ll lead again here and this time can go all the way. (2) HAEUNDAE POWER got his sole win to date on debut but has been close several times since including a narrow 2^nd at this class and distance two starts back and then running 4^th behind Wind Rose on November 23^rd. He too will be on the speed from a good gate and can be a danger. (7) SIX HERO defied a wide draw to run 3^rd at this class and distance on November 21^st and can be there or thereabouts again. (5) RUNNERS HIGH and (3) WANNABE WITH YOU others who can come into consideration.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:15 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Small field of juvenile maidens in the opener. (7) GLOBAL PRINCE was a close 2^nd on debut over 1200M on October 24^th, racing handy throughout. He should have come on for that and he shapes as a warm favourite here. (8) BIG STAR has raced twice and has registered a 3^rd and a 2^nd at 1000M and 1200M, coming from off the pace in the first of them and leading in the second. Third-up she can have a fitness edge on most of these. (5) DIMENSION underwhelmed on debut at the beginning of October but caught the eye when sent back to trial on November 22^nd, crossing the line six-lengths to the good and if he brings that form to the races, he can be in the finish. (4) MYSTIK JIN and (1) BAMTORI BAMBAM can improve from their respective first outings.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) OASIS RUBY enters off back-to-back 3^rd places at 1400M, finishing off well enough both times. The step up to a mile can suit and she can win here. (9) SKYLOR JIYOU has made solid progress across three starts so far, culminating in 3^rd place over 1300M on November 14^th when settling handy from the widest gate. He too should be fine with the increased trip, and may well start as the market elect. (8) HWANHUI BANK beat a couple of these in his way to 2^nd at big odds on November 17^th. That was his best result in seventeen attempts so there may be limited scope for improvement, but he can be there or thereabouts again. (1) HIGH GOLD BAR and (5) VORTEX others in the hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) DOCTOR ACE has hinted at ability across three starts so far with a 3^rd and a couple of 4^th place finishes, including his latest at 1300M on November 14^th when he led for much of the way. He has the challenge of the widest gate here, but Franco climbs on for the first time and today can be his day. (6) PISTOL CUT was an improved 3^rd at start two on November 14^th over this distance when leading until the straight. She can lead again here and once more be in this a long way. It’s been thirty-six weeks since (2) MAGIC HAMMER ran 3^rd on debut. He didn’t offer many clues in a November trial but with a 4kg claim and a good draw, he has to be a chance in this modest company. (9) WONDERFUL PREACH can improve while (1) PRAY MORE was adequate in trials.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) ENCORE got his maiden win at start two in August and then put in a fair, if well-beaten, effort in Listed Juvenile company in September. Since returning to shallower waters, he has a 3^rd and a 2^nd at 1300M and 1200M and under an apprentice claim, he can return to winning ways on his first try at a mile. (3) FLYING CHAMPION enters off back-to-back 2^nd places at this class and distance, most recently beating a couple of today’s rivals on November 14^th when narrowly missing out. He only comes up 1kg in weight and is a big danger.  (2) BARBELL TROFEO has been very disappointing in his latest two, laying in both times and finishing well back. He has had six weeks off and has trialed positively during it.  (1) ILNYEOM SINHWA and (8) COLONEL FLYING are other place chances.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million