It’s President’s Cup weekend. The penultimate Group 1 race of the season is at Seoul on Sunday, but the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maiden fillies in the owner with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. (8) FLY TO THE MOON led on debut over this distance on September 27^th, ultimately running 5^th. She should have come on for that run and makes a quick return with every chance of coming out on top. (12) HWARYEOHANJOMYEONG was 2^nd on debut over this distance on August 18^th before tackling the Gangseo-Gu Mayor’s Trophy over 1200M on international day on September 8^th when she stumbled and lay in and was never a factor. In more amenable company, she can be given another chance. (1) NAKDONG MYEONGJAK won her trial leading all the way and that puts her automatically in the frame first-up from a good gate. (2) QUEEN TYCHE and (11) SUCCESS GOLD other newcomers who hinted at ability in their trials.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) GALLOP QUEEN has shown steady progress across four starts so far with her latest being her best when 3^rd over 1200M on September 13^th. Tanaka stays on, she is nicely weighted and from a good gate she should be on pace with every chance of going all the way. (4) STORM FIGHTER was slow away at start number two, ultimately finishing back in the pack over this distance. Instead of that, we’ll go on his 4^th place in a quick race (a long way behind a very good winner), showing promise. With a smoother trip this time, he should go close. (8) NICE GIRL was an improved 3^rd at start number two over 1400M on September 15^th and a similar effort should see her in the mix here. (11) ROAD TO WIN and (1) RAON FLATTER others to consider for improvement.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) HOLY RUN ran 4^th on both his first two starts before running 2^nd, a long way behind a very good winner, at start number three over 1300M on September 8^th. The slight step up in trip should suit, the wide draw won’t be a problem, and he will be favourite to go one better here. (1) DIA MATE is yet to finish any better than 5^th, but she has the fastest time among those who have tackled the 1400M already and from a good draw, she may surprise at a probable each-way price. (9) RICH TREE was an improved 3^rd at start number two over 1200M on September 8^th. He has finished off very well and may appreciate the step up in trip here. (11) WONDERFUL JONES and (4) MISS CROW other sin at least the placing frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) MORNING DEW has improved across three starts so far, most recently a strong 2^nd place at this distance on September 13^th, leading for most of the way before being passed late by a good favourite. He will be on pace here again and will be a short-priced favourite, who may take some beating. (6) SHACKLE LAUD got sent back to trial after his first two starts. He looked very well when leading all the way around in a heat in early September, and if he brings that form to the races, he should be much improved. (7) DAESUNG FLY did nothing in two starts in the final quarter of last year and then had surgery for a chip fracture. She returned to training in June, and she looked very well when 2^nd in a quick trial in July. It has taken her a few more months to get to the races so she has to be taken on trust, but she may be worth a try in this limited company. First-timer (9) YULIM SESANG, along with (5) GREAT MARU others in the hunt.

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

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. It took (6) D’LOVELY KING two goes to qualify but he did it in fine order at the second time of asking on September 7^th, blitzing his trial in a quick time and winning it by as many as he pleased. He draws well to lead here and if he brings that form to the races, he will take some stopping. Of the three with experience, (3) BLUE THUNDER is the best. After winning a trial, he debuted on September 8^th and sat handy before running on for 5^th over this distance. He should have come on for that run and can go closer here. (10) MEGA MACHINE also put in a fair effort on debut and with some natural improvement can go close here. (8) BEOLMA KING and (12) ALL ROUND ONE are other newcomers who hinted at ability in trials.

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

Maiden fillies here. After a good trial, (2) SHASHA was a very solid 3^rd on debut over this distance on August 30^th, racing on pace throughout. She draws very nicely here to be on the speed again, and she won’t need to find much improvement to win this. (3) NAMHAE YEOGEOL needs a line drawn through her latest when she used up plenty of energy from a wide draw to get to the front before fading. Instead, we can go on her 2^nd place two starts back when stopping the clock in a quick time and she shapes as the main danger here. (11) BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN has a 5^th and a 4^th from two starts so far, most recently beating a couple of these over 1000M, and she can be close again here. (1) MIGHTY RUBY and (4) ROMANCE BLUE others to look out for.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Competitive race. (2) HANEUL SINHWA has mixed his form across ten starts so far, but he has five top five finishes. That includes his latest on August 30^th when he beat a couple of today’s rivals when 2^nd with a front running effort over this distance and from a good draw, if he brings that form, he can go one better today. (4) DIXIE WINNER was ordinary on debut but was much improved at start number two on September 1^st when settling right back and running on late for 2^nd place over 1300M. The slight step up in trip should suit and she may well start as the favourite here. (11) CAPTAIN KOREA was 4^th behind Haneul Sinhwa in that August 30^th race and while she has the challenge of the widest gate here, she can be close. (7) SIMON STAR and (8) GOLDMASK are others who can be in the frame.

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

(3) HIT DAY comes up in class having won at start number two over this distance on August 30^th when she led from gate to wire. She comes down in the weights, she draws well, and she can measure up in this company. (4) HWARANG ACE is a five-year-old veteran, and he enters with recent form reading very well, most recently recording a close 3^rd place over a mile on August 10^th. Both of his wins have come at this distance, and he should be a major player here. (1) DONGBU CHOEGANG is yet to win in ten starts and he is up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1200M and 1300M. He carries a very light weight though and could make for some interest at a probable each-way price. (5) BLACK JILJU and (9) SAENAE HIT among plenty of others to consider.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

We’ll take a chance on (9) GREAT BOY here. A previous try at this distance didn’t go well, but his win came over a mile and he comes in here off a smart 4^th place over 1400M. Tanaka climbs on and with no real early speed in this race, he could well get to the lead and take some catching. A few of these raced each other at class and distance on August 30^th and (1) CHRYSOL SIERRA came from well off the pace to run a solid 4^th. Expect him to be a bit closer a bit earlier today and he can be a danger. That will mean overturning the form on (4) FUERTE, who ran 3^rd in that August 30^th race and has appeared again since, finishing 4^th over a mile on September 13^th. He is another who does his best work late and can be finishing strongly. (6) EONJENA YEONGUNG and (10) STAR DRAGON among others in the placing frame.

After a very short hiatus, racing returns this weekend and the action kicks off on Friday with a daytime meeting at Busan and 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with all but one of the twelve racing for the first time. Though others went quicker in their heats, (1) MOTHER CHUKJE winning hers, and in fine fashion, puts her on top. She sat handily before running on the cross the line a fair margin to the good and if she brings that form to the races, can be hard to beat. (11) COWBOY MAN went through three trials, most recently looking good when leading for much of the way on August 31^st, coming home for 2^nd in a good time. If he continues to improve the way he did across those heats, he will be close. (6) PARU and (7) FLY TO THE MOON are the two that went quicker than Mother Chukje in their trials. That was on a weekend when the track was very fast, but they can both be given a chance first up. (9) SWORD MASTER is from a stable that can never be dismissed at the first time of asking.

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

Maiden fillies here. (9) BLACK WAVE has been making steady progress across her six starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place at this distance on September 6^th when she led for much of the way. Tanaka climbs on here and she is a big chance to go one better. There are three newcomers and among them, (1) PARANG ENERGY presents as a big danger. She went through two trials, posting good times in both and looking much more race ready in the second of those. She draws nicely to be on-pace and if she continues on the positive trajectory she has shown, she has every chance. Both (4) NEW LEADER and (6) TEAM SURPRISE have mixed their form, but both have a runner-up finish on their resume and both can be in the mix here. (8) MORE AND MORE another in the placing frame.

Busan Race 3:  Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Standard maiden. After being slow away and doing nothing on debut, (10) FLYING CHAMPION was much improved at start number two on August 23^rd when handy throughout. The step up in trip can suit and third-up, she can be peaking here. The unkindly named (5) FAT BOY also enters off a runner-up finish, in his case over 1300M on September 1^st when settling right back and running on. He does his best work late and is another who can thrive over the slightly extended trip. Those two will fill out most quinella tickets but (1) UNJU CHALLENGE showed promise on debut. He only beat a couple home, but it was a quick race on a fast track and with some natural improvement, should be at least a place chance here. (7) WIND KINGDOM and (2) RIGHT CHAMP others to consider for the minors.

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

Decent race for the level. (10) BEOLMAUI ACE got his maiden win back in July with a comprehensive score in a quick time over 1300M. In two tries at this class, he has a 3^rd over 1400M and a 2^nd over 1200M, both in a quick time but in contrasting styles. He carries his fair share of weight here but has every chance of winning. (3) YEONGGWANGUIFIRST enters with a similar record having registered his maiden victory three starts back before running 3^rd and 2^nd in two tries at this class, both at 1200M. He comes up to the 1400M for the first time, but he has shown he can run on, and he can be a danger here. (11) LEMON TREE was a winner on debut over 1000M on July 12^th, leading all the way, before running 5^th when sent off as favourite on his first try at this class over 1200M on August 25^th. He remains under a light weight and up in trip again, can be given another chance. (4) WONDERFUL BIDDER and (1) ANOTHER ONE others to consider.

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

It’s the final weekend of evening racing and things kick off at Busan on Friday with an 8-race card from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with all but one of the eleven racing for the first time. (10) RACE MAN led every step of the way in his trial, stopping the clock in a time quicker than any of the rest have managed. He draws a touch wider than ideal but if he brings that form to the races, he goes very close. (8) GOOGLE CAR wasn’t ready when trialing in May, but was much improved at the end of June, winning his heat with a front-running effort. It has taken him a while to get to the races, but he can be backed first-up. (3) WORLD HIT sat handy in his trial, running on for 3^rd in a fair time and should be there or thereabouts. The solitary run with experience is (4) CHEONGWAN. Well back on debut he has since been back to trial and he could improve second-up. (2) DOCTOR CITY another who hinted at ability in the morning.

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

(8) ROAD TO FIGHTER has finished 3^rd in both starts so far over 1000M and at this distance when settling back before racing handy. Third-up he can be peaking, and he can win. Disputing favourite status will be (9) NAMHAE YEOGEOL. She did nothing in two outings around the turn of the year but since returning from six months out, she has looked a different horse with a 3^rd and a 2^nd, both at this distance and most recently in a quick time on August 11^th. She likes to race on-pace, and they might not get by her. (5) DREAMMA ran 4^th in that August 11^th race. She also has a 3^rd place on her resume, and she should be in the mix again here. (3) GALLOP QUEEN and (10) B.K. MARON others in the placing frame.

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

(5) PINOT POWER enters off a 3^rd and a 2^nd from his latest two, most recently when leading for much of the way over 140M on August 10^th and beating a couple of today’s rivals. Ueda Masashi stays on, the step up to a mile can suit, and the corks can be popping today. Competitive race, though. (4) MAKE IT BETTER enters off an improved 3^rd over 1300M at start number two on August 11^th when racing just behind the speed. In this company and from a great draw, he can be on-pace and should be in this a long way. (10) USANG RYUNG is one of just four who have tackled the mile before which he did when 2^nd on August 3^rd. That was his best start to date, and he can build on that here. (3) CHEONGMAUI JILJU and (6) WILD DIXIE others firmly in the hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) YOUR TURN is a winner of three from four so far with her latest coming at this class and distance on August 10^th when leading all the way and stopping the clock in a time almost two seconds faster than anything else here has achieved for the mile (the track admittedly being very fast that day). She comes up 2.5kg but has won under this weight already, and she can win again. (9) ONEULISUNGAN comes in on a three-race winning streak, most recently at this class over 1400M on July 7^th when sitting behind the speed and running on. He comes up a full 5kg in the weights but given his running style, the step up to a mile can suit and a four-timer isn’t impossible. (1) SEKWANG CHOEGANG is yet to win in eleven attempts but comes in following a 3^rd place in a very quick time over 1300M on August 11^th. She comes up to the mile for the first time and can be competitive. (2) MORPHEUS and (10) META PRINCESS among plenty of other money hopes.

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

It’s international weekend in Korea with the Korea Cup and Korea Sprint set for Seoul on Sunday. Before that, the action gets underway at Busan on Friday with with an afternoon and evening card of 8 races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maiden fillies with seven of the eleven racing for the very first time. The experience is good though and we will side with (4) WIND ABLE who overcame gate ten to lead on debut over this distance on August 2^nd, ultimately finishing in 2^nd place in a quick time. She comes into a better gate today and second up she can go one better. (3) DOCTOR HAPPY was sent off as the favourite for that August 2^nd race but while she showed on pace, she ultimately came home in 3^rd. She should have come on for the run and is the main danger. (9) BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN made her debut over 1200M on August 23^rd and while slightly slow away, she ran on pleasingly enough for 5^th. With some natural improvement, she can get closer. As for the first timers. (2) SEOGWI PRINCESS was the fastest in trials and along with (11) CANCAN STEP looks the most likely to make an immediate impact.

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

(7) HANEUL MANJEOM looks the best of these but is first-up after eight months out. After an indifferent debut, he ran 2^nd and 3^rd in two subsequent starts last November and December. He has been back in work for a while and looked well in a mid-August trial. If fitness is a concern for the returnee, then (2) TAMNA SUPER may be the one.  He’s been 6^th in both starts so far but ran a fast time in the latest of them on July 19^th and the margins weren’t big. He draws much better and third-up can be peaking. (11) WORLD PINK CAT enters off a to-date best 2^nd place in filly only maiden over this trip on June 14^th. She overcame a similarly wide gate that day and can be a threat here. (3) PINE BLUE and (8) ROMANCE BLUE are others who can go close.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) HANEUL EUTTEUM will be the warm favourite. He has six top four finishes among his eight starts so far, including his latest when 4^th in a quick race over 1300M on August 10^th. He likes to settle back and run on, his win came at this distance, and while he carries his fair share of weight again, he is the one to beat. (3) HAERANG JINJU is yet to win in nine attempts but has plenty of near misses including last time out when 2^nd over this distance having raced handy throughout. That brings her up in class here, but she comes down significantly in the weights, she draws well, and she can measure up. (7) PURPLE MANGO returned from nine months out to run a fair 5^th over 1300M on August 16^th. He should strip fitter for that run and can go closer here. (2) SINHAE MANGCHI and (11) BRAVE CAPTAIN among others in the placing frame.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (1) GREEN SHARPEY ran 3^rd on debut in July over 1000M before scoring at start number two over the same distance, overcoming gate ten to sit midfield and run on strongly. She is up in class and in distance here but carries a light weight, draws well and Franco stays on. (7) SEVEN QUEEN enters with recent form reading consistently. She has won just once but has ten top five finishes to her name and she looks nicely in here to go close again. (11) GUKDAE MIRACLE is up in class following a maiden win at start number four on August 3^rd in a filly only maiden, striking the front a furlong out and winning doing proverbial handsprings. She has nothing to fear in this class. (5) BARADEON BADA and (3) YONGBI KHAN others to consider.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) SUCCESS BATTLE mixes his form but proved competitive at this level with a 2^nd place two starts back over 1400M when racing on pace. He comes up to the two turns for the first time and it may suit. (2) EONJENA YEONGUNG ran out a class and distance winner on August 3^rd to score at the forty-second time of asking having raced handy throughout. She is up 3.5 kg in the weights, but in a race where not much enters in form, lightning could strike twice. (8) TOP FRIEND remains a maiden after twenty-five starts but has no fewer than seventeen top five finishes. He has placed twice at this distance and should be there or thereabouts again. (4) POMPEII and (5) MASTERY MAN others who figure.