Friday’s racing is at Busan with 8 races from 11:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

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

(5) P.D SPECIAL ran 5^th twice last autumn and then returned on April 26^th to run a close 2^nd at 1200M, showing on pace throughout. She should strip fitter for that run, she gets the same apprentice claim, and she can go one better. (2) POWERFUL RUBY has been knocking on the door with a 4^th and a 5^th among her finishes to date. In this company she too should be on the speed and with Seo Seung-un staying on, she must rate as a chance. (10) WONDERFUL LALA was an improved 4^th at start three over 1200M on April 19^th and she can build on that here. (1) RIVER RUN and (7) CHAMPUI HYANGGI are others who can be in the mix.

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

(6) DOLGYEOK SPECIAL has a 5^th, three 4^th places, and then two 3^rd places from her six starts so far, with her latest three all having been over a mile. She likes to settle back and run on and while in the absence of an apprentice claim, she is up in weight today, she has as good a chance as any. If she does find one (or two) too quick again, it could be (2) FLASH TO ME. Her best is a 3^rd place at 1400M three outings back and while she has disappointed compared to her odds in her latest two, she is drawn well and worth another chance here. (9) WORLD GOAT was 5^th behind Dolgyeok Special on April 26^th, and he can potentially get closer today. (8) NICE POWER and (11) THANKYOUFORTHETIME others in the hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (1) GOLD POCKET ran 2^nd on debut over 1300M in March before getting her maiden win at start number two on April 17^th, running on strongly from a handy position. She comes up in class here as well as slightly in trip, but neither should be a problem and she can win again. (11) YEOUN got her maiden win back in debut and has run fairly for 4^th, 2^nd and 5^th in three subsequent outings at this class. The latter was her latest when she was a beaten favourite on April 17^th when she used up a lot of energy early. She can be given another chance here. (6) GLOBAL HEROINE has a 2^nd and a 4^th from her latest two at this class and while a non-winner of twenty, this is the kind of race she can place in. Up in class pair of (8) SEUNGNI YEYAK and (4) THEMIS other chances.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) HEY BRO got an easy lead from a wide draw over a mile last time out on April 17^th and was able to convert it into his second win from five starts. He comes up in trip as well as 2.5kg in weight, but he can lead again and he can win again. (10) TAMNA BRAVO is winless in eight but ran a fair 4^th when stepped up to this class and distance on April 26^th and under the same light weight, he can be competitive again. (4) CAPTAIN DRAGON was 4^th at this class over a mile on May 5^th and could be ready for another crack at the extended trip here. (3) BREEDO QUEEN STAR is yet to win but her racing style suggests that the step up in trip can suit, while the veteran (5) THEIA comes in off a last start 3^rd at class and distance and can aim for a repeat.

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

Friday’s racing is at Busan with 8 races from 11.35 to 17.55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maidens with five of the eleven racing for the first time. (1) CHAMPUI SARANG went through two trials racing fairly in the first and improving significantly in the second of them (which was voluntary so may not be in all racecards – be aware) when from the widest gate she crossed the line 2^nd in a time of 62.6 seconds. If he brings that form to the races, he can win. (5) YEONGGWANGUIROOKIE went through two trials, showing plenty of speed in both. She should be nice and fit for this and can be a danger. Among those with experience, (7) NAGAN CHUEOK is the best. After an inauspicious debut, he was a much-improved 3^rd at start two over this distance on April 19^th when close to the speed throughout. (4) I’M THE ONE and (8) I AM QUEEN others who have hinted at ability.

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) DOCTOR HUNTER got his maiden win at start two over 1200M at the end of March before running 4^th at 1300M on his first try at this class on April 26^th when close to the pace throughout. He can be on the speed again here and can go one better. (6) WIND SWORD has placed three times in four starts at this class, all at this distance, since getting his maiden win back in January. His most recent was his second consecutive 3^rd place on April 17^th when he settled a bit handier than in recent outings. Expect similar tactics today and he should be in the finish again. (3) ONE WAY ROAD was the 20/1 winner of that April 17^th race and warrants more respect today. The veteran (4) TAEYANG EUTTEUM, along with (8) CALM FAST are other place chances.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) INDIE TIGER won a trial and was then a smart winner on debut over 1200M on April 19^th, racing on pace and stopping the clock in a quick time and scoring to the tune of six-lengths. He comes up in both class and in distance but has every chance of measuring up. So too does (6) BROWN CHOCO, who is also one for one. He settled midfield on debut over 1300M on April 12^th before running on well for a three-quarter-length victory over Oasis Gijeok with the 3^rd placegetter five-lengths back. The slight step up in trip can suit.  After a bit of a wobble in January, (7) SUCCESS COW has come back into form with a 2^nd and a 4^th from his latest two and he is a sild place chance in this company. (9) BURUI SINJEON and (4) HIGH GOLD BAR others who are better than their respective latest efforts suggest.

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

(4) POWERFUL THUNDER had been working towards a maiden win, and it arrived over 1300M on April 17^th when he led all the way around, getting the better of Powerful Battle by a head with the pair eight-lengths clear of 3^rd. He is up in class and slightly in trip, but he is down in weight and can win again. (1) OASIS HAPPY stepped up to a mile on April 26^th and registered his maiden win at start four with three-length victory. He is up in class but is down 3kg in weight and can be on pace and in this a long way. (6) CARAT KING is yet to win in eleven, but he was promoted to this class after a few too many near-misses and proved that he can measure up with 3^rd place over 1300M on April 10^th when settling midfield and running on. He stays under a light weight and should be in the finish again. (7) HEUIMANG GUNJU and (2) VICTORY STORY others firmly in the placing frame.

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

It’s Korean Oaks weekend on the south coast and while the big race for fillies is on Sunday, the weekend’s action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

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

Competitive opener. (7) DOKKI TIGER is yet to finish in the top two but has four finishes between 3^rd and 5^th. She comes in following a 4^th place over a mile on April 10^th and she has as good a chance as any here. The danger is (2) GOLD ROGER. She raced fairly enough in her first two but was much improved at start three on March 29^th when stepped up to this trip and running an on-pace 2^nd. From a good draw she’ll be on pace again and she may well start as favourite. (8) SWEET POWER beat three of today’s rivals on his way to a significantly improved 2^nd place at this distance on April 10^th and with a bang in form apprentice claiming 2kg, he can be in the finish again. (4) WORLD THUNDER CAT and (1) NICE POWER are the other main place chances.

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

After six winners last weekend, apprentice Nam Jeong-hyeok has the veritable Midas Touch and his 2kg claim can see (6) DIA X home on top. A seventeen-start maiden, he has been knocking on the door recently, he has the fastest time among these for this distance, and he can win here. (11) QUEEN PERFECT also benefits from an apprentice claim. She has been getting closer across her five starts to date, culminating in a 3^rd place at this distance on March 22^nd, and she can be a danger here with the wide draw not likely to be a problem. (5) DUBAI CANDY enters off a 3^rd place last time out and she too looks to be figuring things out. (9) DALBITWIE and (4) WONDERFUL BAND others in the placing frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) WONDERFUL FASHION ran 2^nd on debut before getting his maiden win at start two over a mile on April 10^th, beginning steadily before making his way rapidly forward. He comes up in both class and in distance, but he looks to have potential for more and down in weight, he can win here. (6) SOMANGUIGIL is a non-winner of twelve but has ten top five finishes and comes in off a 2^nd and a 3^rd at this class over a mile. He was 5^th on his only previous try at this distance but he should be closer today. (8) NEOM CITY beat Somanguigil in that previous go around this distance and while she hasn’t held her form, this is the kind of race she can go close in. (9) K ROYAL and (7) BEOLGYO SARANG are others who should be in the placing hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) GRAND CRU got his maiden win at 1300M three starts back and has run 3^rd in two tries at this level over a mile and most recently at this distance on April 10^th when racing handy throughout and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He really should have the beating of these. Nothing else enters in any form. (2) MUHAN NAREUSHA needs a line drawn through his latest when well back over a mile, but he has placed twice over this distance and he was 4^th in Busan’s Classic trial at the start of March so he warrants another chance here. (5) THEIA too missed the start last time and is worth another chance in this company. (7) MAGIC MIRROR and (9) DOROTHY QUEEN others who may be better than their respective latest starts suggest.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

There is Holiday Friday racing at Busan with 8-races from 11:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) BYEOLBIT SONATA won a trial before finishing 4^th on debut over this distance on April 3^rd when leading early. He should have come on for that run, he draws well to lead again, and this time he can win. Enough was thought of (8) POWERFUL MENIFEE that aside from being bestowed with quite the name, he was also sent out on debut in the Rookie Stakes last August. He finished last and then went lame and has been in and out of work ever since without making it to the races. He trialed up in super fashion at the start of April, blitzing his heat in a quick time, and if he brings that form to the races, he’ll be close. (9) SIERRA GOLD showed well in his trial and can debut well under Franco. Another first-timer (6) ROAD FIGHTER, along with (2) ANY WIN, who improved last time out, are others in the frame.

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

After some underwhelming trials, (6) GWANGSEON DAERO was sent out at big odds on debut on April 3^rd but from a wide gate and settling back, she finished off very well to claim 4^th place. Seo Seung-un climbs on and she will be much shorter this time around. (9) BIG SMILE has made steady progress across five starts to date with her best being her latest when 2^nd over this distance on April 3^rd. In this small field the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and an apprentice claim keeps her under a light weight. (3) HUIMANG LOGI has a 3^rd and two 4^th place finishes from her latest two and the slight step up in trip can suit. (5) MISS COCO and (4) FANTASTIC GREEN are others who can potentially improve in a race where there is no obvious early speed.

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) VEGAS JEONTU almost made his breakthrough when favourite over this distance on March 27^th when on pace throughout but ultimately going down 2^nd to Baram Daero (who was 2^nd at the same class last week). He draws the same gate today and this time should go one better. (6) SHACKLE LAUD returns to action for the first time since January. A two-time winner and five-time placer over this distance, she looked very well in a trial on April 9^th, and she can be a danger first-up. (5) WIN WIN enters off three consecutive class and distance 3^rd place finishes and he can be there or thereabouts again. (7) BRIGHT MARINE and if she can get a lead which won’t be easy from her gate, (9) DOCTOR KAREN, others to consider.

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

(1) PORT MORE got his maiden win over a mile three outings back and has a 6^th and a 5^th in two starts since at this class over 1800M and then again at a mile. He drops back to a trip at which he ran 2^nd on his only previous try and from the inside gate, he can be on pace with every chance of going all the way. (4) D’LOVELY KING is yet to win, nor even match the three consecutive runner-up finishes that he began his career with, but he hasn’t raced badly of late, especially his 3^rd place at this class three starts back. He can settle back and run on here and he may have more improvement in him. (11) SHINING ONE was a well beaten favourite on April 5^th when further back than usual and seemingly resenting the kickback. He comes down 4.5kg in weight today, assisted by an apprentice claim and while drawn wide, he is worth another chance here as his form prior to last time was good. (7) GUKDAE HERO and (5) GLOBAL HIGH perhaps the best of the rest.

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

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8-races from 11.15 to 17.55. Here are the previews:

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

(2) DELTA FORCE has a pair of 3^rd places among three starts to date, most recently at 1200M on March 29^th when handy throughout and ahead of a couple of today’s rivals. He comes into a much better gate today, and he has every chance. (11) KISS THE RAIN was a well-beaten favourite on March 22^nd when doing himself no favours by laying out throughout. Prior to that, he had a 2^nd and a 3^rd and with better manners, he can be given another chance. (1) MAGIC HAMMER got his second 3^rd place finish over 1200M on March 20^th and from the inside gate can be aiming to match or better that here. (7) SUPER HIT and (5) ONNURI PARTY others in the placing frame.

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

(11) BACK TO THE DREAM was 3^rd on debut and then 2^nd at start number two over 1300M on March 27^th when handy throughout. He does have the challenge of a wider gate this time but third-up he can be peaking, and he can win. (8) RIVER RUN took plenty of trials to get to the races and was accordingly unfancied on debut over 1200M on March 3^rd. He got a long way back, but he ran on pleasingly for 5^th and with some natural improvement, as well as the extended trip, he could be the danger. (9) VIRAL HIT was an improved 4^th at this distance on March 22^nd, settling midfield and running on and she can build on that today. (12) SWEET MAN and (2) WONDERFUL SMART others who could have a say in the minors.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (7) LAMPYOJEONGGEENIE has only missed the top four once and even then, two starts back, she beat a couple of today’s rivals. She enters having been the beaten favourite in a similar race to this on March 23^rd when taken down late by Sunrise, and she can go one better today. (3) DUBAI SEONMUL was slow away in that race from the widest gate and never playing a role. She was a smart maiden winner at her previous start, but from a much better gate, she is worth another chance today, (12) SEONGSIL WORLD got her maiden win two starts back over 1300M, showing on pace, before running 2^nd on her first try at this class and distance on March 20^th. She has the challenge of the widest gate here, but she can be in the finish again. The form falls off after those three with (8) MAGIC SHOW and (2) THIS WAY probably the best of the rest.

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

After finishing 4^th on debut, (10) LIGHTNING FORCE has won two in a row, both over 1200M and most recently at this class on April 3^rd when leading all the way. He comes up 2kg in weight and draws wider than he has before, but neither should be insurmountable and he can complete his hat-trick here. None of the rest enter in much form. (4) ISIMNYEON JIGI has been around the mark with three 4^th places at this class since his maiden win. He got a bit far back from a wide gate last time on March 22^nd out but can be better today. (5) BULBIT GANGJA went even worse in that March 22^nd race but prior to that ran 3^rd at class and distance in February and can be given another chance here. (3) GAON BOSS and (8) THEIA other minor chances.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million