President’s Cup weekend gets underway at Busan on Friday with a 9-race card from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(7) INDIAN CATCHER is a Race Day filly with Thomas Gillespie that has trialled twice with the best of those being her most recent heat on September 17 when a finishing a one-length second and she can go close on debut under Seo Seung-un. (10) ALL OKAY is a Hansen colt with Kim Do-hyun that has also trialled twice with the most recent of those being a front-running two-and-a-half length win. He finished a head in advance of Indian Catcher when they competed in a trial on August 13, Indian Catcher gets a weight swing here, and must be respected. (9) BODY AND SOUL was fourth in a trial on August 27 whilst (8) BREATHLESS has one-and-a-half lengths to find with Indian Catcher from her one and only trial on September 17. (1) MODERN BOY is arguably the best of the quartet of raced runners going on his fifth on debut with (2) MALIKA next best.

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

(2) DAESEONG SKY has trialled once and raced once for a second on each occasion and if he does not race as greenly as what he did on his debut, he can go one better with Seo Seung-un riding. (1) PEGASUS YEOWANG has also trialled once and raced once and in her case, she has finished in third on each occasion and rates as a chance. (8) PERFECT NORTHERN made up some ground in the second of her trials behind a subsequent impressive winner so should not be denied a chance with the Franco da Silva ridden Thomas Gillespie trained debutante (9) BLACK QUEENS, an Old Fashioned filly that has trialled once for a seventh, rating next over Baik Kwang-yeol prepared newcomer (7) DOCTOR SPICY, which has also trialled once for a seventh, and (5) B.K BIG AIR, who has raced once for a fifth.

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(1) RUSH WILD bounced back to her best last start with a brilliant eight-length victory from the front following a couple of below par performances. Her confidence should be sky-high following that win and from the inside draw she is a good chance of leading throughout once more despite coming up in class. (8) DAISY TIARA remains a maiden but continues to finish close to the mark and can do so again. (3) SUN LIGHT has proven to be a non-winner to date but from a place perspective always has to be considered whilst (5) P.D SPECIAL and (9) PACHOUI KKUM finished second and fourth at feature level last time and have as good a chances as any and (2) LAMPYOJEONGGEENIE is far from hopeless in an excellent race.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) TIGER BLUE has raced twice for a seventh and a fifth and did win a trial back in June and that form is good enough to go close in this for Franco da Silva and Bart Rice. (9) CAPTAIN WARRIOR is first-up since January when he pulled up lame in the near fore but was well fancied in a few of the races he contested in his first campaign and was a narrow runner-up in a trial at the end of August. Masa Tanaka rides (7) FLYING SKY which was second three weeks ago when having his first run for six months and on that run will likely start as the popular pick. (2) OASIS TIME is only a juvenile but has the most consistent form so is not to be denied with (1) FANTASTIC BEACH the other main runner over (3) HANGANG BRAVO.

Busan Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Racing returns from its one-week Chuseok hiatus on Friday with a 9-race card at Busan from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(1) WINNING WILD has trialled once for a fourth on August 13 when on pace throughout. Seo Seung-un rides for trainer Choi Ki-hong and owner Choi Sang-il so it is a powerful trio that combine with this Bayern filly and she will go close. She was ridden by Franco da Silva in her heat who rides (11) RED DEVILS which has trialled once for a victory on August 27 when leading for most of the way to score by a narrow margin. The highest draw does not do him any favours, but he is still a top chance of coming out and following up his trial victory with a win on his race debut. (5) FLEX TEUKGEUP has trialled once for a third a month ago, when similarly on speed throughout, whilst (8) PRESS QUEEN made up some ground to run third in her hit out at the end of August, she was however beaten eighteen-and-a-half lengths by the winner. (6) SKY BOLT was eighth of ten beaten twenty-lengths in his only heat but from the Thomas Gillespie stable should not be totally disregarded with (3) CUPID GOLD next best following an on pace fourth in her trial three weeks ago.

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

(5) UNCLE PARK has raced twice for a third to the impressive Supex World on debut followed by a narrow second three weeks ago when attempting to lead throughout. Considering he raced without shoes on both forelegs in that race, after casting a plate on the near fore on the way to the post the decision was made to remove his off fore shoe, it was quite a big run and in the colours of Roshe the Uncle Chuck colt can go close for Seo Seung-un and Baik Kwang-yeol and will likely be very short. (4) DAEHAN KING has trialled once for a one-and-a-half length win on September 10 and under David Breux this Aloha West debutante can be expected to give this a real shake. (3) HONOUR SPECIAL was the one that was that one-and-a-half length in arrears of Daehan King in that trial three weeks ago and should not be too far away again whilst his stablemate (6) WISDOM PICK is the mount of Franco da Silva and the best of his three trials was his most recent when finishing fourth to some experienced customers. The others need to improve with (7) PERFECT LINE the most likely to do that and he rates ahead of (2) TOHAMSAN HONOR.

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

(11) JEONGMUNKEUNDAEBAG has trialled once for a front-running victory on September 17, and he looked mightily impressive in that score so despite the widest gate he should very much make his presence felt for Franco da Silva and Bart Rice. (1) WILD JUMP ran her race before it began back on debut in February when getting upset in the stalls and subsequently dropping out after leading. She again attempted to lead throughout at her second start back in July and did better finishing third and for the Seo Seung-un, Choi Ki-hong, Choi Sang-il combination should not be dismissed. (2) CLUTCH TIME did not do much in his solitary trial on August 27, but he comes from the Thomas Gillespie yard so he should be kept safe under Masa Tanaka. (8) OASIS SONG is a first career ride for Hong Hwan-woong and going on his second run is not hopeless with (7) NUMBER ONE PLAY, which has trialled once for a fourth, next best over the Moon Hyeon-cheol trained (9) BREEDO GREEN which failed on debut as a 2.5 favourite only beating one home but should not be completely forgotten.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) GLOBAL TOP TIER has not been far away in two of his three starts to date finishing behind some decent types of his own two-year-old age group and rates as a strong chance to go a few places better. (1) DOCTOR ATE is another juvenile who finishes off his races well and will be doing his best work late. The draw may necessarily not be to his advantage but if he sees daylight expect him to be running home hard going on what we have seen from him in three runs so far. (6) VIRAL HIT has David Breux aboard and has finished in the top four in three of his past four runs whilst (2) GEUMBIT has improved with experience and is not the worst. (9) DYNAMIC LEMON was much better last start and Franco da Silva rides with (8) DREAM BLUE best of the rest.

Busan Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

The final weekend of racing before the short Chuseok break gets under at Busan on Friday where there are 9 races from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with all eleven racing for the first time. (10) TO WIN was held together very nicely in her trial, crossing the line 4^th in a fair time but withing four-lengths of the experienced winner and getting stronger as the heat went on. Franco stays on and she could win on debut. (8) MIRACLE PACE was a fair 4^th in her trial coming from off the pace. She was a touch slow away which is a concern at 1000M, but she looks to have ability. (9) FANTASTIC QUEENS finished off well in her trial, beating a couple of today’s fellow debut-makers in the process. Those three were the clear standouts from trials with (7) ROMANTIC TIARA and (11) GLOBAL LUNA others who hinted at ability.

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

Juvenile maiden colts here with all eleven racing for the first time. (4) ROYAL PRIDE was on pace in his trial, running a close 2^nd to an experienced horse who came out and won at class 5 level a week later. He draws well to be on pace and looks a big chance here. (6) B.K RICH was the other standout in trials, similarly leading before crossing the line in 2^nd, a length behind the very experienced Sincheon Freedom and that form should be good enough to challenge here. (11) TOHAMSAN STAR went trough two trials and was quick in both. He has the challenge of the widest gate but with Seo Seung-un engaged, he will have plenty of backers. (2) BUHWARUI SEOMAK and (10) SUPEX MAGIC others in the hunt. 

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

(11) RIVER RUN has been getting closer across his six starts to date with a 4^th, a 3^rd and a 2^nd from his latest three, most recently when stepped up to a mile for the first time on August 16^th. He likes to settle back and run on so the wide draw should be no problem, and he could go one better today. (5) FANTASTIC ROYAL didn’t do much in his first two starts but stepped up to 1300M on August 21^st and was an improved 2^nd, coming from midfield. The further step up in trip can suit and he can be close. (9) SHINY KOREA looks to be figuring things out at last with a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two, the latter his first try over the mile behind River Run on August 16^th and he should be a danger again here. (6) RESPECTING GIRL and (1) SEOGWI FOREST others in the hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) CHAMPUI HYANGGI enters off back-to-back 3^rd places, most recently over this distance on August 28^th when she beat three of today’s rivals, settling midfield and running on. She comes into a slightly better gate today and can potentially come out on top. (2) YEONGGWANGUICROWN has made steady progress across three starts today with her best being her latest when 4^th in that August 28^th race. She has four-lengths to make up on Champui Hyanggi, but she has a light weight, she draws well, and she looks to have plenty of scope for more improvement. (3) NAGAN CHUEOK comes in after a 2^nd place over 1200M on July 17^th when coming from well off the pace. She comes up significantly in trip, but it may well suit. (10) DOCTOR MUJEOK and (9) FLYING SKY others who can be in this.

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

Friday’s racing is at Busan with 9 races from 10:15 to 17:55. A reminder that this will be the only meeting taking place at Busan last week with Sunday’s “Yeongnam” card set to take place at the new racecourse in Yeongcheon. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Small field of imported maidens with three of the seven racing for the first time. All of the others raced against one another on their respective debuts back on July 24^th over this distance. (7) TOHAMSAN BOSS came from off the pace to run 2^nd and the best of them on that day, albeit a full nine-lengths behind the eye-catching winner Supex World. He can have come on for that run and it’s hard to go against him here. (4) UNCLE PARK was 3^rd in that race, a length and a quarter in arrears, having raced handy throughout and he shapes as the main danger today. (5) ALL CLEAR went through two trials, winning the second of them (which may not appear in all racecards, but was an all the way score in a time of 62.2 seconds on July 9^th) and he looks the best of the debut-makers. Returning to the July 24^th race, (1) PERFECT LINE and (3) LUNA CROWN were 4^th and 6^th and there is no reason to change that order today.

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

Juvenile maidens with all but three racing for the first time. (7) SUNNY WILD debuted over 1200M on August 7^th, showing on pace and ultimately finishing in 3^rd place. He should have come on for the run, and he can win here. (5) BRAVO YOUNG was a fair 5^th on debut in a quick race over 1000M on August 14^th. She too should have derived benefit from that, and she can be closer today. Among the debut-makers, (1) POWERFUL INDIE was the best. He went through two trials, improving in the second of them when 3^rd from the widest gate in a time of 62.8 seconds on August 13^th. If he brings that form to the races, he can be competitive. (10) OASIS YEONGCHEON and first-timer (8) RUN FOR ME are other place chances.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Filly maidens. (2) HEAR WE GO won a July trial and was then 3^rd on debut over 1300M on August 9^th, racing handy throughout. She should have come on for that run and from a good draw, she is the one to beat here. (11) MISS COCO is the most experienced in the field, with four starts behind her. The best of those was her latest when she was 4^th behind Hear We Go in that August 9^th race, having settled back and run on well. She previously posted a fast time over this trip, and she can be a danger late here. (4) ACE LOVE and (10) HERO HIT came home 5^th and 6^th respectively when they raced one another over 1000M on August 9^th and both can be in the mix to go better here. (1) GEUMBIT SPRING another who can improve.  

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) GAME MAKER was 3^rd on debut in July over 1000M coming from off the pace and followed up with a 2^nd at start number two over 1200M on August 7^th when ridden much closer to the pace. Third-up he can be peaking and he has every chance of going one better here. (5) LOST KINGDOM debuted over 1300M on August 23^rd, settling midfield and running on pleasingly enough for 4^th. Seo Seung-un climbs on and plenty will be backing him to go better. (8) SIERRA GOLD didn’t do much on debut back in May but looked well when running 2^nd in a quick trial on August 20^th and can be given another chance here. (10) CHAMPAGNE WINNER and (1) TIGER BLUE among others in the hunt.

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

It’s Korea Cup weekend! The action though gets underway at Busan on Friday where there are 8 races from 12:50 to 19:25. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juveniles with six of the eleven racing for the first time. (9) POWERFUL WARRIOR debuted with a solid 4^th place over 1000M on July 3^rd, settling midfield and running on. He should have come on for that, and he can win here. (3) MAX LEVEL didn’t do much on debut on July 24^th, to the extent that he was sent back to trial. He won that heat in fine style, leading all the way, and stopping the clock in a quick time, and from a good gate, he can be on pace, and he will probably start as the favourite. (7) OASIS SONG finished in 6^th place on debut in the same race as July 24^th. He should have come on for that run and can go closer today. Among the debut makers, (5) HEUIMANG GYEOUL and (6) SEONGSIL JILJU looked the best in trials.

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

It’s hard to go past (2) OASIS ANGEL here. He was 3^rd behind Seraph on debut over 1000M in June and then ran 4^th having been ridden up to be handy from the widest gate at start number two over 1200M on August 7^th. He comes into a better gate today, and third-up he can be peaking. (7) LOGIST QUEEN was a very close 2^nd at start number two on July 5^th when she led for most of the way. She could only manage 6^th at 1300M on her reappearance, but she should be able to lead again here and back to 1200M, she can be in this a long way. (4) TWOTWO SPACE was an encouraging 4^th on debut over 1000M on August 9^th. She finished off very well and the step up in trip can suit. (1) GLORYS DAY and (6) COWBOY LOOK, the latter returning for the first time since last November, but who looked very well in a July trial, are others to consider.

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

(7) ART TREE debuted last October with a quick 3^rd place over 1000M but then didn’t reappear until this July 17^th when he came from well off the pace to run 5^th over 1200M. He was then handy from a wide gate and a close 2^nd at 1300M on August 7^th. Third-up he can be peaking and is the one to beat. He will be a very short price though. For anyone seeking an alternative, (3) GEORGE PRINCE has finished 5^th in both starts so far at 1000M and 1200M. Both times he has been doing his best work late, and the slight step up in trip can see him get closer today. (4) OASIS TIME was 4^th on debut and 6^th at start number two, both of them over a mile. He drops back in trip for the first time and in this company, he should see off plenty. (10) FOR THE VICTORY and first-time starter (9) UNION FLASH others in the placing frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (2) NORTHERN QUEEN is yet to win in ten attempts, but she has seven top five finishes, including her latest on August 14^th when she was 3^rd in a very similar class and distance race to this, having raced handy throughout. She beat a couple of today’s rivals that day and can beat plenty today. (3) RUSH WILD won on debut over 1300M before good efforts at a mile and 1800M gave her a spin around in the Korean Oaks. She finished well back in that and again when sent off as favourite on June 19^th at this class and distance when she was fractious in the barrier and appeared to give up in the home straight. She as passed a starting test since then and with Seo Seung-un giving her another chance, so can we. (5) ONLY FOR ME was a winner on debut over 1000M on July 24^th and while up in class and in trip, she can measure up. (8) BULBIT YEONGMA and (9) NICE MYEONGGA others in the hunt.

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