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 30 Million

Wide open maiden to start, with four of the twelve racing for the first time. Debut-maker (8) KING DRAGON looks to have as good a chance as any. He won a trial all the way back in June last year but didn’t make it to the races. He trialled again, fairly, in January and this is a good race to start in. Of those with prior experience, (5) TOP LINE is the pick. Fater a positive trial, he ran 5^th of eleven on debut over this distance on January 14^th, showing on pace. He should have come on for that run and can get closer this time. (1) MAJESTIC DANCER has raced five times with a pair of 3^rd places at this distance and at 1300M His latest couple over 1400M have been indifferent, but he comes back in trip here and draws well. (2) STORM GRIT and (7) GIANT MARINE others who can improve.

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

(4) GRAY BOSS is the one to beat there. He has been a model of consistency across six starts so far, always finishing between 3^rd and 5^th. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and today really should be his day. (10) DREAM WAY is the only other one in the field to have a top-three finish to his name and that’s enough to put him into contention here. He goes best when on pace and despite the wide draw, in this company, he should be able to get a forward position and he can be in this a long way. (5) TAP BOLT is yet to finish in the top-three in fifteen starts but has had a few near-misses and with an apprentice claim, he can get close this time. (3) CHOEGANG CHONGAL and (8) POSTMAN others who could improve.

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

(2) WIN WIN will need a line drawn through his latest. Instead, we’ll go on his effort two starts back on February 22^nd when he settled midfield and then ran on strongly for 3^rd place, again over this distance. He draws nicely here and is the one to beat. (9) RAON STROKE is another who needs her latest effort disregarded when slow away over 1200M. She has tended to do that but two starts back she overcame gate eleven to run on for 2^nd place over this distance and with Tanaka climbing on, she can go close here. (10) BORAM enters off back-to-back 4^th place finishes in all-filly races over this distance. She should be settling handy here and can run into some money again. (7) GREAT BOY and (4) STORMY DAY are the other place chances.

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Small but competitive field. Several of these raced one another over 1200M on February 23^rd. (6) WOLFS KING MAN was sent off as the favourite that day but put in a somewhat lacklustre run, laying inward and generally not performing. Prior to that he registered a runner-up finish on debut, beating a few of these in the process and is that effort, together with the step up in trip, that leads us to give him another chance here. (2) CRAZY ARMY debuted at this distance on February 18^th, beginning slowly but growing into the race and finishing off well for a close 3^rd in a decent time. She should have derived benefit from that experience and can be a danger here. (4) AKARAKA and (7) CHOWOLUI BANSEOK both beat Wolf’s King Man in that February 23^rd race and can get close again. (9) CONNECT MARINE another in the hunt.

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

The 2024 Graded Race program finally kicks off at Busan this Sunday when Eoma Eoma headlines a fourteen-strong field in the G3 Busan Ilbo Sprint over 1200M. Before that the weekend’s action gets underway on Friday with 8 races at Busan from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Just a small field in this maiden but it is a competitive one. Three race for the first time, and based upon his trial, we’re happy to take a chance on (6) GOTOTHEVALHALLA. The Adios Charlie three-year-old showed on pace in his heat before crossing the line in 2^nd in a decent time and seemingly with more to spare. If he brings that performance to the races, he has every chance. (8) DAESUNG DREAM similarly showed well in a trial, coming home an on-pace 3^rd in a good time on a dry track. He has the challenge of the widest gate but in this small field, that shouldn’t be a problem. Of those with previous racing experience, (4) GOAT KING IJI was a fair 5^th on debut and should have derived some benefit from it. (2) SEOGWI OREUM and first-timer (5) GANGSEO PRIDE are others in the hunt.

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

Another maiden where we will side with the first timers of which there are just two. It took several trials for (11) FLYING DANU to convince anyone that she is a racehorse, but she was significantly improved in a heat on February 1^st when for the first time, she jumped well and led all the way, stopping the clock in a quick time. If that version of her shows up to the races, she can win. (10) MARIA’S CALL trialled last September but never made it to the races. She then went through the same heat as Flying Danu at the beginning of last month, coming home 3^rd in a fair time. She too can go well first-up in this company. As for the experience, (5) GOLDEN AIR improved last time out at star number three and can get closer today. (9) WONDERFUL ONE and (7) HANEULPYEONGJEONG others in the hunt.

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

(3) GREAT MAN gets the verdict here. After an indifferent debut, he has two 4^th places and a 3^rd from three subsequent outings and beat a couple of these on his latest over 1200M on January 21^st. He likes to race on pace so draws very well and today can be his day. (6) RED JASPER enters having been a beaten favourite when 5^th over this distance in an all filly and mare race on February 16^th. Based on her form prior to that, with a 2^nd and a 3^rd in decent times, she can be given another chance here. That will mean overturning the form on (10) SKY SEUNG, who defied big odds to run a much-improved 2^nd over this distance in that February 16^th race when settling midfield and running on. She will warrant more respect here. (4) WEST POINT and (5) LEMON DOKKI among others in the frame.

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

Competitive race. (5) SAMAKUI KKOT was a beaten favourite for the second consecutive time when 4^th at this class and distance on February 4^th, having led for most of the way around. In this company, she should find herself on the speed again and this time she can go all the way. She may not even start as favourite. (3) WILD SERVE comes up in class following a 3^rd and a 2^nd in two class 6 efforts at 1200M and 1400M. She is down in the weights, draws nicely and she should have more than enough about her to measure up in this company. (7) I AM LEGEND is up in class after a maiden win at start number four on February 2^nd. It came at this distance and under a light weight, she can be competitive. (10) LAND BANK and (11) BREEDO WIZARD among others to keep safe.

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

(3) META PRINCESS enters off back-to-back wins over 1200M and 1300M, the latter at this class and both times settling handy and running on strongly. She remains lightly weighted, she draws well, and she can make it three in a row here. (12) MORNING FLOW finally got his maiden win at the twelfth time of asking at this class and distance on January 21^st when settling handy early before taking things up entering the straight and running on very well. It was a super quick time and while he comes up 3.5kg in the weights and has a similarly wide draw, a repeat can’t be ruled out. (4) RAON THE CHEONHA comes up in class have pretty much made all to win over this distancer on January 19^th. He comes down in weights and with only three starts in the bank, there is plenty of scope for more improvement. (6) SEOBU VISION and (1) CORNER ONE are among others in the placing frame.

March 1st is a public holiday in Korea and the weekend’s action gets underway at Busan with an 8-race card from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Quite an open maiden to start this holiday Friday with. (5) SUPREME QUEEN has shown progress across three starts so far with her latest being an on-pace 2^nd over this distance. She comes into a better gate, she has the best start among these, and she can go one better today. (7) GLOBAL SPURT was an improved 2^nd when sent up to this distance for the first time on February 18^th, racing much further forward than in his prior efforts. That was Seo Seung-un’s first time riding him and he remains aboard here with similar tactics likely, making for a big chance. (4) GOOD KING MAN has a 2^nd and a 4^th among four starts so far and should be running on here. (1) WIN WIN and (2) STAR PARK the other leading candidates.

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

(3) MACH MAN comes in off a 3^rd and a 4^th from his latest two, coming from midfield on both occasions and last time out beating a couple of today’s rivals. In this company and from this gate, he can be on the pace and with Seo Seung-un climbing on, today could be the day. (9) TAEPUNGUI CHUKJE has a 2^nd and a 4^th from his latest two at 1200M and 1300M. he likes to settle in midfield and run on and the additional half furlong can suit. (11) MORPHEUS also has a 2^nd place to his name, recorded two starts back at 1200M. He had a hard time on his latest, being slowly away before running on for 5^th. He has the challenge again of the widest gate but with a better start, can be a danger. (10) WORLD WINNERS MAN and (5) STORMY DAY are the other logical placing chances.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here and we’ll have a short-priced favourite. That’s (11) AMAZING BOSS who, after an ordinary debut, was a much-improved 2^nd over this distance at start number two on February 2^nd. She came from well off the pace that day so the wide draw shouldn’t pose too many issues and, returning from a lengthy holiday, Franco Da Silva can make a swift return to the winner’s circle. With an apprentice claim, (7) GEUMA REJOICE may prove to be the testing material. She did nothing in her opening two races when a long way back but significantly improved at start number three when 3^rd. She has had almost four months off since then so comes in fresh and that little weight break may be key. (4) LASER GRIT has raced fairly in her two starts so far and can aim to build on her last start 5^th and should be working home well. (5) BLACK JILJU and (3) GOLDMASK other potential improvers.

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

Like plenty of these (8) SANGIM BOLT remains a maiden, but he comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1200M and 1300M, racing on pace both times. He is down 3kg in the weights and there is no reason why he can’t get on pace again here and potentially go all the way. (5) WONDERFUL CHEROKEE need s alone drawn through his latest when sent up to tackle a mile. This is a far more suitable assignment and prior to that he had demonstrated plenty of ability. (4) MAGIC SWEETIE ran a close 4^th in an all-filly race at this class and distance on February 2^nd when settling midfield and running on. She remains under a light weight and from a good gate can go close again. (7) GOHEUNG CLASS and (2) MAGIC ELEVEN among others in the hunt.

It’s Classic trials weekend in Korea with both Seoul and Busan hosting their respective lead up races for the Triple Crown on Sunday afternoon. Before that, the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Japanese rider Ueda Masashi, who rode at Seoul between 2020 and 2022, has returned and takes his first rides on the south coast.

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

A maiden with three of the twelve racing for the first time. (11) RUBY STONE was a trial winner in December before running 3^rd on debut in an all-filly maiden over this distance on January 28^th when she led for much of the way. She has the challenge of a wide gate here, but she should have come on for that run and has as good a chance as any. (2) TROPHY WARE was an improved 2^nd at start number two on January 21^st when settling midfield and running on. The time was significantly quicker than anything else here has registered and from a great draw, she is a big danger. (1) ONES HEYDAY has progressed across three outings so far, most recently 3^rd at this distance on January 26^th. She likes to settle back and run on and can be pressing late. (12) SEOGWI STAR and (6) LET THEM ALL COME, the latter having knocked up fast on debut having showed on pace, others to consider.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-olds only in this maiden and it’s hard to look past (6) CHEONHA SARANG. He ran 3^rd on debut over 1200M before an on-pace 2^nd when stepped up to 1400M at start number two on February 2^nd. The step up in trip again can suit and he should have too much for this lot, which will be reflected in a prohibitive price. (2) BABEL DREAMY has run on well for 4^th and 5^th in two appearances so far at 1200M and 1300M. She has recorded fast final furlongs and should relish a bit more distance to get stuck into. (8) STEALTH MODE was a fair 6^th of twelve behind Cheonha Sarang earlier this month and can get closer in this company. (9) LEMON DRAGON and (11) UNJU LEGEND others in the placing frame.

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

(11) MAX THE CAT has been getting closer across four starts culminating in a 2^nd place when stepped up to this distance on January 26^th flashing home from off the pace and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He likes to settle back and run on so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can go one better here. (4) YEONGGWANGUICLASS was 5^th in that January 26^th race, also coming from a long way back. He already has two 3^rd places to his name at this distance and should be in the mix again today. (8) WONDERFUL KAYLAN enters off a to-date best of 2^nd place over 1400M then racing handily. He comes up to the mile for the first time and it can suit. (12) NANGMAN DAERO and (9) SEOBU CAPTAN are other potential improvers.

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Eleven imported maidens with four of them racing for the first time. Most of the ones with prior racing experience raced against each other on January 12^th at this distance with the best of them being (1) WOLFS KING MAN, who settled handy and ran on for 2^nd place. He had been sent off as favourite on what was his debut having impressed in trials and he will be a short-priced favourite to go one better. (2) CONNECT MARINE ran 3^rd in that race, coming from well off the pace. He has three-lengths to find on Wolf’s King Man but can have the beating of the rest. The only one to have raced twice already is (10) WINNABLE EDITION. He has been fancied in both having won a trial and he did improve in the second of them to finish 5^th of eleven. He comes up in the weights but can continue to get closer. (6) AKARAKA was 5^th on debut in the January 12^th race and can improve. (5) CHOEGOUI KKUM looks the best of the debut-makers.

The short Lunar New Year break is over and racing returns to Koralea this weekend. The action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11.50 to 1800. Here are the previews:

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

Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden. (1) RED JASPER has looked as though she is figuring things out at last with a 3rd and a 2nd from her latest two, most recently at this distance on Christmas Eve when handy throughout and recording a time significantly quicker than any of the others here have managed. She draws nicely, You Hyun-myung is aboard, and today can be her day. The main danger is (6) CHIMING RUN. After a positive trial, she looked assured on debut on December 15th, running 2nd over 1200M when racing on pace. She has had a couple of months off since, but she should have come on for the experience and has every chance here. (3) BARADEON BADA has drawn wide and got a bit far back in both her two starts so far but she has hinted at ability and has a much better gate this time. (11) BORAM and (7) TWOTWO MONEYGUN the other placing chances.

Selections (1) Red Jasper (6) Chiming Run (3) Baradeon Bada (11) Boram
Next Best 7, 9
Fast Start 2, 4, 6, 12

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

Two standouts here. (3) LOLLY has shown steady improvement across four starts so far, culminating in 2nd place when stepped up to a mile on January 14th, and closing from midfield with three of today’s rivals behind her. She should have derived benefit from that experience, and she can go one better today. She maintains a weight advantage over (8) LEMON DOKKI, who came home in 4th place in that January 14th race when ridden slightly further forward than in previous outings. He too looks to have further improvement in him and should go close here. Masa Tanaka returns to Busan this weekend and in (6) FLYING DIA, he rides a live chance. The filly has mixed her form across seven starts to date but comes in off a smart 3rd place over 1300M and the step up to a mile can suit. (1) ILNYEOM SINHWA and (5) CLOUD LOVE among others in the hunt.

Selections (3) Lolly (8) Lemon Dokki (6) Flying Dia (1) Ilnyeom Sinhwa
Next Best 5, 4
Fast Start 3, 4, 9, 10

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

(4) WILD SERVE ran a close 2nd on debut over 1200M on January 5th, settling midfield and running on well. She should have come on for that run, the step up to 1400M can suit, and with some natural improvement, she looks to be the one to beat. (7) POWER BANK wasn’t quite so impressive on his debut on January 14th, but he raced handy throughout and finished a fair 3rd. He too should have derived benefit from that and can be a danger here at what will probably be each-way odds. (1) DAESEUNGNIJA enters off back-to-back 3rd place finishes over 1300M. She has been doing her best work late and from a good draw, she can benefit from the slight step up in trip today. (6) SEOBU VISION and (11) GRAY BOSS others firmly in the hunt in a competitive maiden.

Selections (4) Wild Serve (7) Power Bank (1) Daeseungnija (6) Seobu Vision
Next Best 11, 2
Fast Start 1, 5, 7, 11

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

This is a competitive race. We’ll go with (4) OVER THE TRIPLE who, after getting a long way back on debut, was a front-running winner at start number two over this distance on January 12th. He comes up in class here but comes slightly down in the weights and draws a good gate. He can repeat. (10) SINCHEON FIRST was an emphatic winner at this distance at class 6 level two starts back, before running a fair 3rd at 1300M on his first try at this class three weeks ago. He is another who likes to be on pace and while he has to contend with a wide draw, he should be in this a long way. (2) YEONYEIN ran 3rd on debut before winning at start number two over 1300M on January 19th when racing handy. His times haven’t been spectacular, but he carries a light weight here and can measure up in this company. (8) MONSTER DRAGON is up in class and distance having won on debut over 1200M and along with (12) WONDERFUL CUTIE – a maiden but placed at this class in both her latest two – is not without a chance here.