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.

The weekend program gets underway at Busan on Friday with an 8-race afternoon and evening program which runs from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile imported maidens in the opener with all but one racing for the first time. (6) SAENAE MOON went through two trials, winning both and leading all the way both times (the second of those on July 20^th was voluntary so may not be in all race cards). If he brings that form to the races, he can win. That equally applies to (9) GEUMA GUTTY.  He has been through four trials in total – the only mandatory one was on June 8^th, which was won by Saenae Moon, but he has since finished 2^nd and then won two trials of his own, all of them in quick times. The jockey and trainer were hot last weekend, and he may start as favourite. (1) CLEAN ONE qualified in a fair time on July 6^th but then went through another heat (again, voluntary so be aware, it won’t be in a lot of race cards) on July 20^th, coming from off the pace to win in 61.8 seconds.  From the inside, he can be a danger. (5) ASABIYYA trialed up behind Geuma Gutty and hinted at ability. The sole one with experience, (4) DRAGON REVENGER didn’t stand out on debut but may come on for the run.

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

It’s hard to go far past (1) CRAZY LEO. After a positive trial, he was sent odd as third favourite on debut over this distance on August 2^nd, and duly finished in 3^rd place, settling midfield and running on in a time much faster than any of the other experienced ones here have achieved. He won’t need to improve much on that to win this.  There are four first time starters, and among them (8) BIG JAWS is the pick. He raced handy in his trial, crossing the line in 2^nd place in a decent time and can put in a bold showing first up. (7) SHASHA similarly raced handy on her trial and came home a close 2^nd in a good time. If she brings that form to the races, she’ll go close. (9) RALLY MAN has been back to trial since his somewhat inauspicious debut, and he can improve. (4) BARAMSOK another trial 2^nd-placegetter who can be in the mix. 

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

Competitive maiden. (8) THE WIND has raced just twice improving from 6^th on debut to 4^th at start number two on August 2^nd, settling midfield and running on. The time wasn’t quick and he was a long way behind a good winner, but he has a smart finish on him, Munro climbs on, and third-up he may be peaking. (2) GOLDEN NICE is yet to finish in the top two but has five finishes between 3^rd and 5^th. She has been a bit far back in most of her starts but from a good draw, if she is in touch at the business end, she will be a danger. (7) B.K. MARON has been knocking on the door in his latest few outings and should be there or thereabouts again. (1) BACK TO THE HUNTER and (9) GRATE WORLD, the latter having beaten Golden Nice when a much-improved 4^th last start, are others in the hunt.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (7) JULGEOUN DONGHANG ran 3^rd om debut over 1000M before winning at start number two on July 19^th, when settling just behind the speed and steadily improving over 1200M, striking the front just over a furlong from home and running on well. She comes up in class and slightly in trip, but with Munro up, she can measure up. (2) RAID HIT took a couple of goes to figure things out at this class but enters off a smart 2^nd place over 1200M on July 21^st. She is up 3kg in the weights, but she draws nicely, and Hye-sun is one for one on her. (4) UNION CHAMP was a winner on debut over 1000M on August 2^nd. She is up in class and in distance but can be competitive. (1) HYPER FORCE and (8) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA others to consider.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

For the next four weeks up until the Chuseok holiday, racing on Fridays will switch to a late afternoon/evening schedule. Sunday meetings will remain daytime only. The action kicks off at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with eight of the eleven racing for the first time. (2) FANTASTIC VALUE is one of the three with experience, and she looked very useful indeed, running a close 2^nd on debut over this distance on July 19^th racing on pace throughout. She should be on pace again here and probably won’t need to improve much to win. (10) SWORD WING ran 4^th on debut in that same race coming from off the pace. He had previously shown speed in a trial and can be a danger here. Among the first timers, (1) MEGA MACHINE was the quickest in trials, running an on-pace 2^nd. If he brings that form to the races, he’ll go close. (7) BEOLGYO WANGCHO was similar a front-running 2^nd in his heat in a good time and merits consideration. (5) DERBYEUI GGUM improved in the second of two trials and with similar improvement can go well first up.

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

(10) WHO IS NEXT looked good in a trial and then looked good at the races when 2^nd over this distance on debut on July 19^th, running handy throughout. He has the challenge of a wide gate here but should have come on for the run and is very much the one to beat. As for who is next, (6) HOLY RUN put in fair performance for 4^th on debut at the end of June. He should have come on for that run and eight weeks down the line can be ready to improve. From a central gate, expect him on pace. (9) GWANGSOKMA has achieved mixed results across eight starts so far, but he has a 2^nd place to his name and comes in having run 4^th behind Who Is Next in that July 19^th race. He should be there or thereabouts again. (1) DAEGIL YEOWANG and (5) BORA CHAMP other placing chances.

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

Competitive race for maiden fillies. (1) ROAD TO WIN put in a solid shift on debut over 1200M on July 12^th, settling midfield and running on pleasingly enough. She should have derived benefit from the experience and from the inside gate can be ridden forward today with every chance of winning. She will dispute favourite status with (6) TEAM SURPRISE. The juvenile filly has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place in a similar race to this over 1300M on August 3^rd. The slight step up in trip can suit and she could go one better. (8) JET SUN was 4^th in that same race having been in that position all the way around. She has a runner-up finish to her name and should be in the mix again. (5) DOCTOR ERICA and (9) GOLDMASK others to consider.

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

(2) OPEN SKY was an eased down winner on debut over this distance on June 2^nd to the extent the jockey got a reprimand for downing tools. He won doing handsprings though and while he hasn’t raced since, he went through a trial on August 9^th in which he dawdled early before cruising through to cross the line 1^st in a fast time. He can make it two from two here. (10) BEOLMAUI ACE is the main danger. He got his maiden win at start three over 1300M on July 12^th and then ran 3^rd on his first try at this class at 1400M on August 10^th. He makes a quick return here and has claims. (3) OUR DESTINY returned from five months out to run 3^rd over 1400M on August 11^th having led early. She too makes a quick return and under a light weight and back in trip she can be a threat. (7) HELLO SUNSHINE races for the first time since January. He got his solitary win at this distance and having trialled up fairly, he may offer some interest an each-way price. (11) SANGIM BOLT mixes his form, but the steadying presence of Alan Munro can bring the best out of him.

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

Normal racing service is resumed this weekend and the action kicks off at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 12:10 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Maiden juvenile fillies here with all but three racing for the first time. The three with prior experience debuted together over this distance on July 14^th and it was (10) GREEN SHARPEY who was best, finishing in 3^rd place having raced close to the pace throughout and stopping the clock in a good time. That’s enough for us to put her on top here. Turning to the first timers, (5) WIDAEHAN YAKSOK took three goes to qualify but when she finally did, she did it well with 4^th place in a good time, settling midfield and running on. If she brings that form to the races, she can be a danger. (1) ILLUSION ran 7^th on that July 14^th race behind Green Sharpey and should have come on for the run to the extent that she can get closer here. (6) LIKE DRAGON and (8) B.K DREAM are other newcomers who hinted at ability in trials.  

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

(2) DREAM RACE has appeared twice, finishing 4^th and 2^nd, most recently at this distance on August 2^nd when close to the pace throughout. In doing so she recorded the fastest time among these for the distance by a considerable margin and from a good draw, she will be a hot favourite to go one better today. (1) WE LIKE MONEY has been threatening to make a breakthrough across nine starts so far which have featured six top five finishes. She draws nicely here and while she may once again find one too quick, she should be close. (8) CHEONGMAUI JILJU has been making progress in recent outings and enters off a smart 4^th place at a mile last time out. She should be there or thereabouts again. (9) PINE BLUE and (7) BEOLGYOUI HIM others in the frame.

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

(6) DREAM TREE has raced twice and finished 2^nd twice, both over the 1300M and both times having settled back and run on. The slight step up in trip can suit, Munro gets on, and today can be her day. (4) SEONGSILCHAMPION has shown improvement in his recent few and comes in here off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes over this distance and at a mile, beating a couple of today’s rivals on his latest start on July 21^st. In this company, he can settle behind the speed and be a big danger late on. (11) HANEUL SINHWA comes in off a 3^rd place at this distance on July 14^th when racing on pace throughout. He set the fastest time among these for the distance and while he has the challenge of the widest gate here, that’s enough to put him in the mix. (7) PRIME JOY and (5) BACK TO THE HUNTER others in the mix.

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

(1) FANTASTIC DREAM got his maiden win at this class three starts back over 1200M and has since run 4^th and 3^rd in two outings, coming from off the pace both times. With Seo Seung-un taking over today, another win can be on the agenda. (3) RAON THE CHEONHA got his maiden win over this distance in January before running a very close 2^nd on his first try at this class in March. He hasn’t raced since but he looked well in a July trial and can be a danger first-up here. (6) WORLD WINNERS MAN got his maiden win when leading all the way over a mile two starts back but was slowly away on his first try at this class in July. With a better start he can be much closer here. (5) AWESOME SUNRISE and (8) ILCHUL GOLD are others in the placing frame.

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

With Seoul taking its summer week off, Busan is the sole action on Sunday with 14 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Anything could win this. (6) MAKE IT BETTER ran fairly on debut for a 6^th of nine finish over 1000M. He was doing his best work late on so with some natural improvement, a step up in trip, and with Munro climbing on, there is every chance that he will be better here. (3) STORMING MAGIC enters off a much-improved 2^nd place over 1300M on July 12^th when settling behind the speed and running on.  A similar effort will see her close here. (8) RAON STROKE was disappointing over 1400M last time out but has a 2^nd and a 3^rd to her name over this trip and Seo Seung-un being booked catches the eye. (4) AMAZING MOVE and (1) SIMON STAR others to consider.

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

(3) DREAMING BOY has a 3^rd and a 4^th among three starts so far up to 1400M and has been finishing off his races well. There is no early speed in this race so from a good gate, he can be on pace and the step up to a mile can suit. (8) GOLDEN NICE has been hovering on the brink of the places and comes in off a close 4^th place over 1400M on July 19^th. She tends to get back in her races so is another for who the step up in trip can be a benefit. (4) BABEL DREAMY is another who settles back and runs on. She has a 4^th and two 3^rd place finishes from her latest three, beating a couple of these in the process and she should be there or thereabouts again. (2) GEUMA BRISK and first-time starter (7) KING’S MARINE are the other chances.  

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with four of the ten making their racing debuts. Usefully for us, four of the ones with experience raced against each other on their debuts and a couple went well. (1) MY DREAM DAY finished the best of them over 1000M on July 12^th when on pace throughout and running 2^nd. He draws well to lead and this time can go all the way. (2) BEOLMAUI ANGEL was 2^nd in that race having been handy all the way. He has two lengths to find on My Dream Day but an extra furlong to find them. (3) NINETY PLUS was further back in 5^th place in that race, about two-lengths behind Beolmaui Angel, starting a touch slow and running on. He put in a super final furlong time and can improve second-up. With it perhaps being best to take a watching brief with the first timers, (10) EMPEROR and (8) BAEDARI BOSEOK, may be the next ones to consider.

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (4) CHEONHA GEONGANG raced twice without distinction around the turn of the year and was then put away for four months. She won a trial at the end of June and then ran 2^nd on her return over this distance on July 12^th, sitting handy throughout. She should have come on for that run and will be favoured to go one better today. (5) TROPHY WARE raced three times across the end of last year and the beginning of this, registering a 2^nd place sandwiched between two poorer efforts. She hasn’t raced since February but looked well when on pace in a July trial and can go well first-up. Continuing the theme, (1) NAMHAE YEOGEOL returned from almost six months off to run a solid 3^rd place on July 7^th in a similar race to this and beating some of today’s rivals. She should strip fitter for the run and draws well to lead and be in this a long way. (2) DREAMMA and newcomer (8) UNJU CHALLENGE are the others in the placing frame.

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

(5) BEAT DRAGON will be a warm favourite here. He comes in having run 2^nd and 4^th in his latest two, both at this class and distance. He has the fastest time among these for the mile by some margin and he could take some beating here. It’s not an intimidating set of opponents. (6) GOTOTHEVALHALLA was an all the way winner over 1200M to get his maiden win at start number three on July 12^th. He comes up in class and significantly in distance here, but he can measure up. (3) EUNSEONG CHAMPION will need a line drawn through his latest when weakening late over 1800M. He has a win, a 2^nd and a 3^rd from three starts at the mile though and can be in the finish here. (8) ILNYEOM SINHWA got his maiden win over this trip on July 21^st and while up in class, he is down in weight, and can be competitive. (1) TOP FRIEND another in the hunt.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million