David Breux’s time in Korea came to an end on the last day of June, the French jockey returning home to Chantilly after a successful six and a half years based in Seoul.
David Breux (Pic: Ross Holburt)
Across that time which included the Covid-ravaged 2020 and 2021 seasons, Breux, now 35-years-old, amassed 167 winners from 2227 rides. He registered a further 378 finishes in the top-three.
“For a European jockey, riding in Korea is good because there is no travelling and you are racing just twice a week. In France you need to travel every day and sometimes you will be riding at two racecourses in the same day!” Breux said after his final Korean ride on June 30th.
Popular on the back stretch and widely regarded as one of the nicest people in racing, Breux had only good things to say about his experience. “In Korea I have been very happy, with some very good moments across my 6 years, meeting many people from many different countries.”An early off track highlight was winning the ANZA Korea Melbourne Cup “Fashions on the Field” event in 2018 (Pic: A beaten competitor who didn’t make the final).
Breux arrived young and carefree but leaves as a husband, having married long-time partner Alexia, and as a father, with a daughter about to reach school age. “I’ll be back home in Chantilly on July 19th and then I am taking a long holiday until August 15th. Then it is back to work as a jockey in France. I don’t yet have a stable confirmed but I have a manager and I will be ready to go.”
(Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)
When asked what was his favourite horse in Korea to ride, he was unequivocal: “Definitely Choego Money” he said, referring to the Simon Foster trained runner who Breux had early successes on.
When pressed on whether there was something he wouldn’t miss, Breux characteristically demurred before finally conceding: “I won’t miss racing on the dirt.”
Breux’s departure leaves three overseas jockeys at Seoul with his childhood friend Johan Victoire still flying the tricolour for France alongside former Singapore based Jimmy Wong and Harry Kasim and Turkey’s Furkan Yuksel. At Busan Franco Da Silva, Ueda Masashi and Masa Tanaka have now been joined by the returning Alan Munro, who kicked off his latest stint in Korea with a win last Friday.
Sunday’s racing is at Seoul (8 races from 11:25 to 18:00) and Busan (9 races from 10:35 to 17:30). Here are the previews:
Gangpungma won the Sports Chosun Trophy and returns in Sunday’s Seoul feature (Pic: KRA)
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden. (2) QUEEN OF DRAGON will be the hot favourite. Having put in two good trials she was well supported on debut over 1200M on April 19th and finished 2nd to the favourite, King Dragon. She has had eleven weeks off since then but should have come on for the run and from a good draw and against modest opposition, can win. (8) HAERANG JINJU has a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, both at 1300M and both times racing handy. She shapes as a potential danger here. (5) GUKDAE MIRACLE has raced twice, finishing 3rd on both occasions in similar all-filly fields and should be there or thereabouts again. (9) SPECIAL MATE and (4) GREEN BULLDOZER others who can improve.
Selections
(2) Queen Of Dragon (8) Haerang Jinju (5) Gukdae Miracle (9) Special Mate
Next Best
4, 6
Fast Start
2, 3, 5, 9
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(10) SEOBU CAPTAIN has done most of his recent work over a mile including a last start 4th place on June 7th that suggests he is coming into some form. His solitary place was a 3rd over this distance, and he has as good a chance as any in this competitive affair. (4) B.K. MARON comes in off a best to date 4th place on May 31st over this distance when overcoming gate eleven to work home very well. He gets a better draw here, Franco climbs on, and he can be aiming to get closer this time. That may mean overturning the form on (8) AMAZING MOVE, who ran 2nd in that May 31st race when handy throughout. Tanaka remains aboard and he can be in the mix again. (6) OAK RIDGE mixes his form but going on his 2nd place at 1300M two starts back has to be a live contender here. (11) RAON STROKE another in the hunt.
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Tricky opener in the capital with not a huge amount of form to go on. (4) SERGEANT LIGHT perhaps has the most upside after back-to-back 5th places from his first two starts, both over this distance and in fair times. Both races were in probably tougher company than this and from a good draw, he can sit behind the early leaders and can prove too strong. (2) MAGIC SOUND has three consecutive 5th places from her latest three and while up in the weights, she draws well and in this modest company can be going better. Continuing on the theme of finishing 5th, that’s where (5) CAPTAIN MUSIC was on his debut on April 13th, having raced handy over this distance. He has had twelve weeks off since but should have derived benefit from the experience and can be in the mix here. Without a huge among of confidence, (6) YUSUBUJAENGSEON and (7) ARCH ROCKET are other possibles in a race that something has to win.
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(1) YEONGGWANGUITOUCH has been working his way back towards a second win and enters off a runner-up finish in a quick time over 1300M on June 7th when coming from well off the pace. He previously has a 2nd place at this distance too and with Masa climbing up, he can go one better today. (9) HAERANG YOUNGUNG is up in class having secured his maiden win at start number eight at 1300M on June 7th when leading all the way around. That was his first start since February, and he can strip fitter for it. Down in the weights, he is firmly in the hunt. (11) GUKDAE STAR was 3rd behind Yeonggwanguitouch in that June 7th race and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, can go close again. (3) WONDERFUL CHEROKEE and (10) HANEUL HAETSAL others in the minor money frame.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(8) YEONGUNG JARYONG ran 4th on debut in May before following up with a 2nd place at start number two over 1200M on June 8th, racing handy throughout. Moon Se-young stays up, he should be on pace, and it can be third time lucky. (4) HANGANG CAPTAIN did nothing in his first two starts but reappeared in May after four months out looking a much better prospect, winning a trial before running 5th and 2nd in two starts back with the latter coming over this distance on June 16th. In this company and from this gate, he can be expected to be on or close to the speed, and third-up this preparation, he can be peaking fitness-wise. (2) WONDERFUL TECHNO was a promising 3rd on debut at this distance on June 9th, coming from off the pace, and should have derived benefit from the experience. (10) POSEIDON BLUE and (3) RAON THE KLAMMER among plenty of others with placing chances.
Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Twelve previously unraced juveniles so we head to the trial videos. (3) HANSEN STAR was beaten only by two experienced winners when posting a quick time in 3rd place in his hear. He led for much of the way only being passed late by the two older horses. If he brings that trial form to the races, he will win. (1) TAEPYEONG LEGEND went through two trials, crossing the line in 3rd place in both, each time running handy and stopping the clock in a decent time. From the inside gate he can get to the front and has every chance of going close. (11) WONDERFUL NORTHERN similarly went through two trials, in his case improving in the second of them (which as a voluntary trial, may not appear in all racecards). That was on June 7th when he came from midfield and ran on for 2nd in a quick time. He is the first foal by 2019 President’s Cup winner New Legend, to make the races. (10) CHEONGONGUI SEOM and (8) HANSEN BRACING are others who caught the eye in trials.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden and one of the two first-timer starters is set to be the favourite. That’s (5) KHAN NUT who went through two trials (the second may not appear in all racecards as it was voluntary, so do be aware) and improved significantly in the second, finishing an on-pace runner-up in a good time, four-lengths behind experienced Aman Barows. If she brings that form to the races, she wins this. (9) SKY TEN will be second favourite. That’s based on her last start 4th place at this distance on June 1st when handy throughout. Today’s company is softer, and she should be looking to improve on that. (6) RAON THE PARTA should be on pace against this lot and can be in it a long way. (1) SINUI BLUE and the other debut-maker (2) MAX AERIAL perhaps the best of a limited rest.
Selections
(5) Khan Nut (9) Sky Ten (6) Raon The Parta (1) Sinui Blue
Next Best
2, 11
Fast Start
5, 6, 9, 11
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) KING OF DRAGON ran out a six-length winner on debut over 1200M on May 25, breaking fairly before settling handy and proving far too strong. He comes up in class and in trip, but he draws nicely and with even a small amount of natural improvement, he should maintain his 100% record here. (9) ECLIPSE HONOR ran 2nd and 3rd before getting his maiden in at start number three on June 2nd. All his races have been over this distance and while up in class and drawn wide, neither should be an issue and he can be competitive again. (4) MK LEE similarly comes up in class having won at the fifth time of asking on June 9th. That win had been coming and it was over this distance. CC stays aboard and he can be in the finish. (7) ECHO ZONE and (2) SHARP SUNSHINE other placing chances.
Selections
(3) King Of Dragon (9) Eclipse Honor (4) MK Lee (7) Echo Zone
Next Best
2, 8
Fast Start
3, 4, 7, 8
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
After using up lots of energy to get on pace from a wide draw and then weakening late on debut over 1300M, (5) WONDERFUL LORD dropped back to this trip for start number two and from a better gate, he raced handy and ran on well. He comes up in class but draws well and can win again. (4) ULTRA MANGCHI similarly comes up in class following a maiden win. In his case, it was on his second outing over this distance on June 8th when making almost all the running. He too should measure up in this class and will be expected to be challenging Wonderful Lord right from the start. (9) JECHUK IHO remains a maiden but is yet to finish outside the top four in seven starts. He has posted the fastest time of any of these for the distance and should be there or thereabouts again. (8) MENI SHARK and (7) PURPLE WINK are others to consider.
Selections
(5) Wonderful Lord (4) Ultra Mangchi (9) Jechuk Iho (8) Meni Shark
Next Best
7, 3
Fast Start
2, 4, 5, 9
Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with an 8-race card from 11:50 to 18:00. British jockey Alan Munro, who previously registered 140 winners in a four-year stint at Seoul, returns to Korean action with five rides. Here are the previews:
Baekduui Kkum returns (Pic: KRA)
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juveniles in the opener with seven of the nine racing for the first time. (9) DANGDAE STAR has raced twice before, improving to 2nd at start number two over 1300M on June 14th. He has led on both appearances, the drop back in trip can suit, and his experience can win out. (4) WONDERFUL GROOM ran a solid 3rd on debut at this distance on May 31st, racing handy throughout. He should have come on for that run and can get closer this time. Plenty of decent trial showings among the debutants. (8) LIME TREE won her heat in good fashion, while (1) IT’S OK and (7) MAKE IT BETTER both looked assured and stopped the clock in quick times.
Selections
(9) Dangdae Star (4) Wonderful Groom (8) Lime Tree (1) It’s Ok
Next Best
7, 5
Fast Start
1, 4, 7, 9
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) YONGBI PAEWANG almost led from gate to wire on debut over 1000M on May 31st, ultimately coming home in 2nd place. He should have derived benefit from that experience and while up in trip here, he draws well to be on pace and has every chance of going one better. (9) BACK TO THE LADY debuted fairly over this distance on June 14th, settling midfield and running into 4th. She previously won a trial and with some natural improvement, she shapes as a big danger here. (11) NAEPYEON has a 4th place to his name as well as, by some margin, the fastest time any of these have recorded at the distance. The wide draw shouldn’t matter, and he can be a threat. (1) NEW LEADER has been well-backed on both starts and disappointed both times, but an improvement shouldn’t be ruled out. (3) LUCKY ROAD has been back to trial since she last ran and should be a different prospect this time around.
Selections
(4) Yongbi Paewang (9) Back To The Lady (11) Naepyeon (1) New Leader
Next Best
3, 7
Fast Start
1, 3, 4, 9
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) BEOLGYO FRANCHE has been working towards a maiden win and comes in following a very close 2nd place over 1400M on May 17th when overcoming a wide draw to get on pace. He comes unto a much better gate and today can be his day. (8) MOTHER WONDERFUL has a 3rd place to her name and enters off a smart 4th place over 1300M on June 14th when handy throughout. If the favourite comes unstuck, she seems best placed to take advantage. (2) JET SUN ran a much-improved 2nd at start number six over this distance on May 31st. In doing so she recorded the fastest time of any of these at the distance and she can be in the frame again. (11) DONGBU CHOEGANG and (4) SUPER KANEL are the other placing chances.
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (3) SEUNGNI GITBAL remains a maiden and comes up in class here following back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1400M, racing on pace both times. She comes down in the weights, she draws nicely, and she has as good a chance as any. (9) ALICE MARINE is similarly a maiden, in her case following twelve attempts and her recent form reads well. She stepped up to this class for the first time on June 9th and ran a close 4th in a time faster than any of the others here have achieved or the distance and she won’t need to find much from that to win here. (10) TRICKSTER was a somewhat unexpected maiden winner over 1200M on June 14th but while she comes up in class, there is little to fear here, and she can measure up. (8) HYPER FORCE and (1) SEOGWI STAR among others to consider for the places.
Selections
(3) Seungni Gitbal (9) Alice Marine (10) Trickster (8) Hyper Force
Next Best
1, 4
Fast Start
1, 3, 4, 10
Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
It was a long time coming but the 2022 Champion Juvenile Speed Young finally made his way back into the Graded Stakes winner’s circle last Sunday, routing a top line field to win the Busan Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) by eight lengths.
Sent off as the slight favourite in the sixteen-strong field, Speed Young was handy throughout before kicking clear in the home straight under jockey Kim Hye-sun and winning with plenty to spare. Veteran Simjangui Godong was 2nd with sprinter Eoma Eoma 3rd.
“He won the Breeders’ Cup as a two-year-old but he hasn’t been a straightforward horse” winning trainer Bang Dong-suk, told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “He had quite an impatient temperament, was difficult to control and had a habit of overdoing things. He seems to now be maturing.”
“I didn’t necessarily expect to win and I was a little concerned about the amount of rain, but I am very happy that the disappointment of (Speed Young) always finishing 2nd or 3rd, is now over.
It’s an enthralling race, owing much to the fact that it is the only Graded race run at a mile in Korea that is open to older males and that there are no Graded or Listed races at all in July. Accordingly, it has attracted a full field and some unlikely match ups.
Unlikely to the extent that few would have thought that two of the best sprinters of the past few years, Eoma Eoma and Morfhis, would find themselves in a starting gate alongside Tuhonui Banseok, one of the best stayers.
It is a race though that in recent years has been won by a who’s who of top runners at both one and two-turns. They include Triple Nine, Power Blade, Blue Chipper and Raon The Fighter.
TUHONUI BANSEOK, a front-runner, is the probable favourite despite having not raced at as short a distance for three years, while EOMA EOMA, who has never gone more than 1400M, will also be around the top of the market. SPEED YOUNG and SOMETHING LOST are more obvious middle-distance horses and will be well supported too.
The most intriguing entry is the highly thought of three-year-old SKY WIND. The American-bred Khozan colt is three-for-three having won twice at 1200M and once at 1800M, looking very accomplished. The mile should be ideal and with the trainer and jockey combination of Kim Young-kwan and Seo Seung-un, he is sure to have plenty of backers.
Here is a full run-down of the field for the race, which is race 8 on the card at Busan on Sunday with a local post time of 16:30:
1. SOMETHING LOST – Comes in after a 2nd and two 4th places in the Sprint Series over 1200M following a dominant win at 1400M at class 2 level in February. Only previous try at 1600M was 2nd place in the 1st leg of the Triple Crown last year. Lightly raced with big potential and a great draw, he can be on or close to the speed and is a chance.
2. MORFHIS – The now nine-year-old showed he still has it with a super 3rd in the SROA Chairman’s Sprint over 1200M on May 19th, coming from right off the pace. His only try at a mile was a 4th place back in January 2020. He did previously win at 1800M, even longer ago. Gets a better draw than usual and will be finishing strongly.
3. SKY WIND – The great unknown. He is three for three with wins at 1200M and 1800M although only up to class 3 level. His wins have come in contrasting styles and in good times. The mile will pose no problems although the race tempo will be something he hasn’t experienced before. Worth taking a chance on. Trainer Kim Young-kwan has won the race a record five times.
The final Graded race of the first half of the year is the highlight of racing on Sunday with the Owners’ Cup (1600M KOR-G3) being contested at Busan. There are 9 races at Busan from 10:35 to 17:30 and 8 at Seoul from 11:25 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Tuhonui Banseok is among the Owners’ Cup contenders (Pic: KRA)
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Unusually for a Sunday, we start at Busan and a maiden for fillies only opens proceedings. (4) NEOM CITY has shown steady progress across six starts to date, culmination in a runner-up finish over 1300M on May 26th in a very similar race to this. She can settle in midfield before running on to go one better this time. (10) DREAM TREE ran a fair 4th of twelve on debut over this distance back in March. She has had a further fourteen weeks off since, but she showed a nice late turn of foot that day and she can be a danger. (2) DAESUNG DOLPUNG enters off a to date best of 3rd at 1200M on June 16th. She makes a quick return here and from a nice draw should be in the mix. (8) GOLDMASK and (1) GREEN LEGEND are the other main contenders.
Selections
(4) Neom City (10) Dream Tree (2) Daesung Dolpung (8) Goldmask
Next Best
1, 7
Fast Start
1, 2, 6, 11
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) CHARON TODAY will be a hot favourite here. A winner and two-time placer before a layoff, she returned from nine months away to run 5th over 1200M on June 14th when leading and running out of steam. She should strip fitter for that run, she should be on pace again, and this limited field may not be able to stop her. (8) MACH MAN will need a line drawn through his latest on May 25th but if we go on his class and distance 3rd two starts back then he is in placing contention here. (1) VALHALLA too was only ordinary on his most appearance in April. He was a good winner over 1200M in February and then proved competitive at this class in March when 5th over 1400M. CC climbs on and from the inside gate, he can be close. (11) TWO TWO LIME and (5) RAINBOW ROAD perhaps the best of a limited rest.
Selections
(7) Charon Today (8) Mach Man (1) Valhalla (11) Two Two Lime
Next Best
5, 9
Fast Start
4, 6, 7, 10
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
The capital opens with a maiden where five of the nine line up for the first time and one of those debut-makers, (3) DAESEONG STAR, will be the strong favourite. He came from off the pace to run 2nd in his trial in late May in a quick time. Moon Se-young is engaged and the two-year-old won’t need to find much on that trial to win this. Of the experience, (2) KYLIE is the best of a weak bunch. She hinted at figuring things out with an improved 5th place on June 1st over 1300M when racing on pace. She will be on speed here and can be close. It gets hard after that. (4) FLYING RED was much improved in a second trial and beat a couple of his fellow debut makers in the process, so that is enough for him to go into the numbers here. (5) GEUMSEONG POWER and (1) CANVASEN GO are experienced ones who may – and may is very much the operative word – improve.
Selections
(3) Daeseong Star (2) Kylie (4) Flying Red (5) Geumseong Power
Next Best
1, 7
Fast Start
1, 2, 3, 5
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Plenty of chances here. (11) COLUMBIA CHAMP come sin off a very close 2nd place over 1200M when coming off the pace from a similarly wide draw. She hasn’t gone well at the 1300M before, but she could be ready for another crack and third-up this preparation following four-months off, she can be peaking fitness-wise. (5) DRAGON PUNCH returns to action for the first time since February. She looked very well when 3rd in a quick trial last week and so long as she didn’t leave her race there, can go well first-up. (7) GONJOHARI got his maiden win at 1200M in April before finishing down the field on his first try at this class and distance on June 2nd. He comes into a better gate today and can be given another chance. (8) FANTASTIC DREAM and (3) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL among plenty of others in the money frame.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) LEGEND TAP is the one to beat. He enters off a 3rd place over this distance on June 15th when as is his style, he came from off the pace and ran on well. He draws nicely, Moon Se-young takes over in the saddle, and he will take some beating. (5) HIPPODROME has mixed his form across five starts so far but his last outing was a solid one when 4th over 1300M. He comes up to this distance for the first time and he shapes as the main danger. (11) GANGCHEOL JEONSA was an improved 4th at start number three over 1300M on May 19th and can continue to make progress in this company. (9) LONDON GOLD and (1) DAEMUL SOCKS other minor money chances.
Selections
(4) Legend Tap (5) Hippodrome (11) Gangcheol Jeonsa (9) London Gold
Next Best
1, 10
Fast Start
1, 2, 7, 10
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Geoljak One (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden. (3) DANGCHAN NANGBO has finally looked like she is figuring things out with a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, both at this distance. She likes to come off the pace and finish strong so from a good draw, Kim Cheol-ho can pick his spot and she can get it right at the fifteenth time of asking. (1) I’M THE BEST did nothing on debut in March but after going back to trial has since run 3rd twice at 1200M. Having finished off those two races well, the slight step up in trip can suit and she is a big chance. (7) BEATRIZ has two 3rd places and a 4th from her latest three and has the benefit of a 4kg claim here which should make her competitive. (2) ULTRA HIT and (9) JERAQUEEN among others in the frame.
Selections
(3) Dangchan Nangbo (1) I’m The Bes (7) Beatriz (2) Ultra Hit
Next Best
9, 8
Fast Start
4, 7, 8, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) AMAZING ROCK will be hard to go past here. Since running 6th on debut, she has two 4th places and a 3rd up to 1300M and finishing off well. The step up to two turns should suit and Moon Se-young climbing back up suggests today is the day. (8) TAENGGEURI is probably the most dangerous rival. He is the only one n the field who has a 2nd place to his name. That was all the way back on Christmas Day, but it was at this distance, and he should have the beating of most of these. (7) YONGGINAEYO GEUDAE enters off a much-improved 3rd place last time out at this distance and can continue to make progress here. (3) MARUBYEOL and (5) GOLD CHARM are other placing chances.
Selections
(1) Amazing Rock (8) Taenggeuri (7) Yongginaeyo Geudae (3) Marubyeol
Next Best
5, 6
Fast Start
1, 4, 7, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(1) GANA POWER has been working back towards another win with a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two at this distance and at 1300M. He draws well to be on pace again, he has the fastest time among these for the distance, Harry stays on, and he is the one to beat. (7) DIANA got her maiden win at this distance in March and has since got two 3rd places and a 5th in three starts at this level. She once again benefits from an apprentice claim, and she should be close here. (3) MO CHUISLE got her maiden win last time out over this distance and while up in class, she is down significantly in the weights and can measure up in this company. (11) GHOST DRAGON and (2) YONGBI QUEEN are others to consider.
Selections
(1) Gana Power (7) Diana (3) Mo Chuisle (11) Ghost Dragon
Next Best
2, 10
Fast Start
1, 3, 7, 11
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) CHANGJOUI GIDUNG enters off a best to date of 2nd place when stepped up to this distance on May 26th and racing for the first time on pace. Expect similar tactics today and he can go one better. The danger is (7) SMILE GOLD. She too comes in off a career to date best in 2nd place on June 9th when she raced close to the lead throughout. Coming up to the 1700M for the first time, she could be another winner for the bang in form Riccardi stable. (9) COSMO KING has plenty of experience at this distance with his two placings coming over it. Any top three finish will earn him a rating and he could exit the lowest level of racing with a win. The form drops off after those three but (1) OPUS PURPLE and (5) GANGCHEOL POWER could challenge for places.
Selections
(4) Changjoui Gidung (7) Smile Gold (9) Cosmo King (1) Opus Purple
Next Best
5, 3
Fast Start
1, 2, 4, 7
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
The weekend’s racing kicks off at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Unusually we don’t start with a class 6 but instead have this competitive class 4 affair as the opener. (2) RAON VIBE MAN is a winner of two from six so far and enters off a good score over 1300M on May 26th. He comes up to both this class and distance, but he is down in the weights, he draws well, and he can win again. (6) DAYLIGHT KING did nothing on debut but was a good winner at the second time of asking when stepped up to this distance on June 14th and making most of the running. He carries a full 5kg more this time around, but the manner of that win suggests there can be more to come. (9) WITH SUN won two of four starts before a lengthy absence. He returned at the very end of last year and has shown well in three appearances, most recently a close 2nd at the end of March. CC climbs up and this could be his day, (3) HONORED KHAN and (7) TTANBONG QUEEN others in the frame.
Selections
(2) Raon Vibe Man (6) Daylight King (9) With Sun (3) Honored Khan
Next Best
7, 5
Fast Start
4, 5, 6, 8
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. It will though be that one with experience who will start as the hot favourite. (2) BREEDO KELLY debuted over 1300M on June 7th and showed on pace before ultimately finishing in 2nd place. She should have come on for that run and will be strongly favoured to go one better here. Among the first timers, (6) WINNER CLEAR came from off the pace in his trial to stop the clock in a fair time and the 1200M can suit first up. (5) MORNING DEW raced in midfield before finishing off well in a similar time in his heat and is the other one that catches the eye. (8) ARI DRAGON and (3) HEUIMANG YEOSIN are others who hinted at ability.
Selections
(2) Breedo Kelly (6) Winner Clear (5) Morning Dew (8) Ari Dragon
Next Best
3, 4
Fast Start
1, 2, 5, 6
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
It’s hard to go past (1) THUNDER GUY here. Yet to finish worse than 4th in three starts, his best was a very close 2nd over 1300M in April. He likes to race on pace, so draws ideally here, Seo Seung-un remains on, and he will be a short price. After a couple of trials, (4) ARION TAEYANG ran well on debut over 1000M on May 31st, finishing 4th in a fair time. With some natural improvement out of that, he can go closer today. (6) RUN TO QUEEN has a best of 2nd from four starts. She has been back to trial since her latest effort and let every step of the way in a heat last Saturday stopping the clock in a fast time. So long as she didn’t leave her race there, she can be a contender. The somewhat ungraciously named (5) FAT BOY along with (11) BANGTANUI JEONSA are others who can improve.
Selections
(1) Thunder Guy (4) Arion Taeyang (6) Run To Queen (5) Fat Boy
Next Best
11, 2
Fast Start
1, 4, 6, 7
Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Several of these raced one another over this distance on May 24th and (11) GOAT KING IJI came out on top among them, running a close 2nd having led for much of the closing stages. He had the challenge of the widest gate here but won’t need to find much on that latest effort to win this. (10) BABEL DREAMY ran 3rd in that May 24th race having been sent off as the favourite. He also has a 2nd place to his name over the distance and he shapes as the main danger. (5) OASIS RED debuted over this trip back on May 10th, running a fair 4th. He could well have come on for the experience and can go closer second up. (2) ILNYEOM SINHWA and (9) PINHOLE EYE are others to consider for the minors.
Selections
(11) Goat King Iji (10) Babel Dreamy (5) Oasis Red (2) Ilnyeom Sinhwa
Next Best
9, 3
Fast Start
2, 5, 9, 11
Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
It’s a Stakes race free Sunday but there is still plenty of action to get stuck into at both Seoul and Busan. Seoul has 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00 while Busan hosts 7 from 11:25 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
No Stakes races this weekend after Success Baekpa’s romp last Sunday in the Minister’s Cup (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(6) WONDERFUL JET was sent back to trial after his debut 5th in March and ultimately ended up going through two heats, winning the second, before returning to action on May 19th when an on pace over 1300M. Moon Se-young gets on here, the drop back in trip can suit, and he can go all the way. He will be long odds-on and (11) SAMAEBEONJJEOK will be the second favourite. She scored back-to-back 3rd places over this distance in February and April, before running 5th at 1300M on May 26th. She likes to be on pace so has the challenge of the widest gate but there isn’t much else in the way of early speed here bar the favourite and she can get forward and be close. There are three debut-makers and (1) ARCH DAY will have backers. A four-year-old, she is a late starter, but trialled nicely and this is a good race to begin in. Returning to the experience and (9) SARYEONI NIKE and (2) EAST KING STONE are potential improvers.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) SEONGSIN CHEONHA returned from almost four months off to run a significantly improved 2nd place at this distance on June 9th when settling midfield and running on, having also shown speed in a May trial. He looks nicely on here, should strip fitter for that run, and is the one to beat. (6) EURACHACHA unseated his jockey coming out of the gates at what would have been his second start on May 26th. He was well backed for that having run 3rd on debut in April and has since completed a trial and can be close here. (3) FLYING GLOW returned for his second start on May 11th more than eight months after his debut and ran a solid 4th over 1200M. He should strip fitter for that and will be a danger. (5) NAOL JEONGSANG and (10) DANAEUN REX are the other placing hopes.
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(10) SUNCHEON YEOWANG has a 3rd and a 2nd among her four starts so far with the 3rd being her most recent on May 10th when coming from well off the pace in an all-filly race over this distance. She looks nicely in here, the wide draw won’t be a problem, and she can prove too strong late on. (2) GOLDEN NICE enters off a 3rd followed by back-to-back 4th place finishes, all at 1200M. She too has been doing her best work late and may like the slight step up in trip. (4) RAON THE LEGEND has raced just twice but hinted at ability with a 4th on debut and can go closer here. There isn’t much early speed so (7) SUPER KANEL can get an easy run to the front and can be in this a long way. It isn’t a strong race so solitary debut-maker (3) SUPER CELL can be considered first-up.
Selections
(10) Suncheon Yeowang (2) Golden Nice (4) Raon The Legend (7) Super Kanel
Next Best
3, 9
Fast Start
1, 2, 6, 7
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(1) MIGHTY BOM is yet to win in six attempts but has a 2nd and three 3rd places to his name. The latest of those was at this class over 1300M on May 19th when coming from off the pace and from a better draw today, he can win. (2) P N S CAR come sin off a very close 2nd place at class and distance on June 8th. He comes up 2kg in the weights, but Harry gets on and from a great draw, he can he a big danger. (7) INFINITE HONOR is the only one of these who have already won at this distance, albeit at class 6 level, and may be worth some interest at what will be at least an each-way price. (4) BAEKRYONG and (8) PINK WIND others whose form reads well and can be involved.
Selections
(1) Mighty Bom (2) P N S Car (7) Infinite Honor (4) Baekryong
Next Best
8, 11
Fast Start
3, 7, 9, 10
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(6) BEOLMA BROWN was a smart winner on debut over 1000M on May 31st in the season’s first juvenile race, showing on pace throughout. He comes up in class and in distance but is down 3kg in the weights and can win again. (7) JEOLDAE BOSS will be favourite. A sixteen-race maiden, he nevertheless comes in here with his recent form reading very well, with a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two at 1300M and 1400M. In this company he can sit just behind the speed and will be a big danger late on. It could be his day at last. (2) MASTER ROAD is another non-winner, in his case from six starts but with five top-four finishes. Drawing nicely, she can be on pace and be in this a long way. (1) FLYNG THE FORD and the up in class (10) CHAS QUEEN are other possibles.
Selections
(6) Beolma Brown (7) Jeoldae Boss (2) Master Road (1) Flying The Ford
Next Best
10, 3
Fast Start
1, 2, 4, 6
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Horse Racing in Korea 