The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener. After winning a late August trial, (6) WORLD DRAGON debuted over 1200M on October 8^th and beat three of today’s rivals when a front-running 3^rd in a decent time. He should have come on for the run, he’ll be on pace again, and he can win. Debut-maker (5) VALHALLA led all the way in his trial, stopping the clock in a good time. It was only last Saturday so as long as he didn’t leave his race there, he can go well first-up. (4) BINNANEUNGIL has two 4^th places and a 2^nd in three outings to date. Last time out he led over 1400M before fading late and he should be in the mix here. (8) SUCCESS BAEKPA was 4^th behind World Dragon in that October 8^th race and can get close again. (3) BROWN FALCON another seemingly on the right trajectory.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Standard maiden here. (5) STRIKE ZONE has a 4^th, a 3^rd, and a 2^nd from three starts so far with that latter being his most recent on October 27^th when on pace throughout before going down to a good winner. He comes up to 1300M for the first time, he should be on pace again, and he can go one better again. (7) MOST RAPID led for the first tie on October 13^th over 1400M, ultimately staying on for 2^nd. He ran 5^th on a previous try at this distance and should be in the mix today. (1) DOCTOR CAPTAIN overcame gate eleven to run a fair 5^th in a decent time at 1200M three weeks ago. He draws much better today, and a similar run can see him in the finish this time. (8) DORAON ZETTA and (9) GEUMSON CLASS others in the minor money hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies. (7) ALICE MARINE has shown signs of figuring things out in her latest two with a 3^rd and a 4^th, both at this distance in both in fair times having been ridden forward. She’ll be on or close to the pace here, Seo Seung-un climbs on, and she has as good a chance as any. The main danger is (5) ROAD STAR. Another front-runner, she has posted consistent times at 1000M and then at 1200M. She’ll be competing for the lead from the start and will be in this a long way. (6) SMART SMILE was a much-improved 3^rd at start number two on over this distance on October 20^th when settling back and running on and she can build on that here. (10) PERFECT WINNER and (9) CHOEGANG WEEK among others in the hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(6) WONDERFUL IMPACT has finished between 3^rd and 5^th on no fewer than six occasions from ten starts including her last start 4^th over this distance when settling just behind the speed and finishing off well. Antonio Da Silva, in town to ride in Sunday’s Group race, is aboard and in this company, she can win. She’ll be favourite, ahead of (3) DAEHO PREDATOR, who despite only just scarping through a qualifying trial debuted well in late September, settling back and running on for 5^th over this trip. He should have benefitted from the experience and can get closer this time. (1) CHEONSU SIDAE pulled out a career best 4^th last time out at big odds and coming from well off the pace and beating a couple of these. An apprentice keeps the weight down and a repeat or better isn’t impossible. (5) MIRACULUM and (4) AQUARIUS others in the placing frame.

November’s racing kicks off on Friday at Busan with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens with six of the eleven racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience though and (5) SEKWANG CHOEGANG, who after a positive trial ran well for 2^nd on debut over 1000M on October 6^th, settling back and finishing off well. He should have improved for the run and the additional furlong looks set to suit. (10) BIG MORE is the pick of the newcomers. He led for most of the way around in his trial, ultimately finishing 2^nd and stopping the clock in a time faster than Sekwang Choegang posted in his actual race. He draws a touch wide for comfort here but if he can bring that form to the races, he will be a big danger. (3) FANTASTIC HUMOR came through the same trial, finishing 3^rd, albeit a good distance behind Big More, and can go well first up. (8) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA debuted well for 4^th place in a quick race at 1000M in September and can build on that here. (11) CONCORD PARK was an improved 3^rd over 1400M at his latest start and looks a good shout for minor money here.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Maiden fillies. (7) RUNNING TREE trialled up fast in August before finishing 6^th on debut over this distance on September 22^nd having shown on pace. She should have come on for that experience, Seo Seung-un climbs up, and she looks the one to beat here. (3) SSING GA is the only three-year-old and the only one with a top-two finish to her name. That came two starts back at 1300M when ridden handy. She followed it up with a fair 4^th last time out and from a nice gate, she can sit behind the speed and challenge late here. (9) MAGIC ELEVEN comes in off front-running 3^rd place in a similar filly race at this distance on October 6^th. She was well beaten by a good winner but only narrowly beaten out of 2^nd and she can go close again. (1) THE BIG SHOT and (4) LOLLY are others in the placing frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) ACE GOOD JOB is the pick here. She ran well on debut but then seemingly lost her way before figuring things out again in her latest two when she was 2^nd and 4^th, both over 1200M. She finished off well both times and the step up to 1400M can see her coming home on top today. (4) WONDERFUL CHACHA enters off a runner-up finish over this distance on September 10^th when ridden much further forward than usual. He’s drawn well for similar tactics today and looks a solid placing chance again. (9) JANGSAN LEMON ran like the proverbial lemon when favourite on debut in March but followed it up with a 2^nd and 4^th. He hasn’t raced since June but looked well when 3^rd in an October trial and he should be competitive here. (3) TAEPUNGUI CHUKJE also returns after a lengthy absence and will need to be taken on trust although he had an easy trial last Saturday. (10) CAPTAIN CHARLIE another in the hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

An also-ran in the Rookie Stakes, (4) BLACK SPRING bounced back to get his maiden win at start number three over 1200M on October 8^th, settling handy and finishing off well. He comes up in class and slightly in trip, but neither should be a problem and he can win again here. (9) BORN DIA was a winner on debut in July over 1000M before also getting her chance in the Rookie Stakes. She too was an also-ran, but she finished ahead of Black Spring. She then ran 6^th of eight in the Listed Areumdaun Jilju Stakes for juveniles. She returns to shallower waters here and can get close. (7) KING ANYDAY was a maiden winner at 1400M in July and while a try at a mile didn’t go well, he has found his feet at this level with a 3^rd and a 4^th over 1200M in his latest two. He can be on pace and in this a long way. (8) CHOEGANG MUJIGAE and (6) UNMATCHED other potential contenders for the minors.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

No fewer than four of these come up in class following last start maiden wins and they will be at the top of the market here. Favourite will be (6) TEAM PERFECT, who ran 3^rd on debut over 1000M at the start of September before winning at start number two at this distance on October 6^th when making all. The margin was a dominant one and she won’t need to improve much to win again. (2) LAST DRAGON was sent off as favourite on debut having impressed in a trial and he duly obliged despite being slow out of the gate and having to come from behind over 1000M. He should have matured because of that and can get close again with the extra furlong perhaps being beneficial. (1) OUR DESTINY won her trial and won her debut on October 6^th, leading all the way over 1000M. It wasn’t a fast time, but she draws well here and can measure up. (7) GLORY CROWN ran in the Rookie Stakes and came out of it to score his maiden win over this distance on October 6^th, coming from off the pace. He can challenge late here. Among those with prior experience at this level, (8) DAHAMKKEDALLIJA is the best.

Fillies and mares will take centre-stage this weekend as the Queens’ Tour resumes with the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at Busan on Sunday. The south-coast track kicks off the action on Friday with a 9-race card from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens with four of the twelve racing for the first time. (6) HWANGGEUMSEONG has a 3^rd and a 2^nd from two starts so far at 1000M and 1200M, racing close to the pace both times. He draws well to be on the speed again and he can make it third time lucky. (3) STRIKE ZONE has a 4^th and a 3^rd from his two previous outings. The 3^rd came over this trip on September 22^nd when he settled back and finished off very well. He comes into a much better gate today and he can win. (7) BLACK FALCON went through a couple of trials and then ran fairly for a midfield finish on debut. He can improve here. (11) LIGHT BROWN was slowly away and well back on debut but much improved on her second start on September 10^th when 3^rd over this distance and racing on pace. She isn’t done any favours by the draw here, but she can be competitive. Among the first timers, (10) BEAT DRAGON looks the most likely to make an immediate impact.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Two standouts here. (6) SEVEN DRAGON has been sent off at long odds-on in both start so far and has come up short in 3^rd over 1000M on debut and then 4^th over this distance on September 8^th when he led for much of the way around. His times have been good, he should be on pace again and he can get it right at the third time of asking. (8) WONDERFUL CHEROKEE was sent off at big odds, on debut on September 22^nd but ran a strong 2^nd over this distance having been on pace throughout. He should have derived benefit from the experience, and he has every chance here.  (10) TRICKSTER did nothing on debut all the way back in March but trialled up nicely earlier this month and can be a different prospect this time around. (9) ANOTHER ONE and (2) CHEOGANG WEEK other minor money chances.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

A very modest maiden. (8) SINCHEON FIRST has a pair of 4^th places among three starts so far, most recently at this distance on September 22^nd when handy throughout. He can be ridden similarly here and has as much chance as any. (1) HAPPY BRIANNA enters off her best finish to date when 2^nd in an all-filly race on October 6^th. She settled right back that day before running on and while she was well beaten by a good winner, a similar run will see her firmly in the mix here. (5) UNJU TWO HEARTS showed solid improvement when 2^nd at start number two back in August. She comes in here fresh after eleven weeks off and should be on pace. (11) NONSTOP DUTY and (4) WIDAEHAN SEONTAEK are the other placing contenders.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(1) SINHAN GAMBLE will be a warm favourite here. That’s based on his last start 2^nd on October 8^th when, as has been his style, he went right back but then ran on strongly and was only narrowly denied the win. Three of today’s rivals were behind him and he should be beating all of them here. (2) RUN TO KING enters off a fair 4^th place at this distance on September 24^th. He comes into a better gate today and can aim to better that finish. (4) QUEEN OF JOY returned from five months out to run 5^th of twelve over 1300M on September 22^nd. She should strip fitter for that run and the step up in trip can suit. (10) ANY SINGS and (7) ROCKS are among others who can be in the hunt for the minor money.  

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) STAR DAERO was a winner on debut over 1000M on September 1^st when settling handy and running on very well. He comes up in class and significantly in trip, but neither should be an issue and he can win again. (6) BEST CHAMP got his maiden win over this distance on September 15^th, settling midfield before being ridden up to the pace and then running on. He is up in class here, but the extended trip can suit, and he can measure up. (9) HWANG YO remains a maiden but has never finished outside of the top-three. That includes his latest on October 6^th when on pace and 2^nd over 1200M at this class. He remains lightly weighted and should be there or thereabouts again. (8) RISE THE THRONE was an emphatic maiden winner last time out and comes up in class with the potential to measure up. (10) FABULOUS BEATER is the other logical placing chance.

The weekend’s racing kicks off at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Nine imported juveniles with seven of them racing for the first time. Amng the experienced pair is (7) DESPITE WIN, who is already a winner having scored on debut over 1200M on September 22^nd when he settled back and ran on well. He previously trialled up well over this distance and the race experience means he gets the nod. (4) VICE ROYAL qualified in decent order in August but then went through another voluntary trial on September 9^th, practically making all and crossing the line 1^st in a quick time. If he brings that form to the races, he will be a big danger. (1) TROUBLE MARINE similarly improved in a second trial, settling back and running on. She may want further but that could be true of the top pick as well and she can put in a bold showing first up. (9) BREEDO PRINCE and (5) CHONGAL among plenty of others who hinted at ability.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Locally bred juvenile maidens with all but one racing for the first time. The experienced one is (3) POWERFUL DASH and he’s raced twice, both at 1000M, improving significantly to 4^th in the second of them settling handy and running on. The step up in trip can suit and the racing experience may be key. (10) JEONSEOLUISUNGAN didn’t qualify at the first attempt but looked much better second time around, running on strongly for 2^nd in a fast time and beating a couple of the others who go here. He looks the pick of the first timers. (11) SKY YEONGUNG also went through two trials, in his case voluntarily. He too improved in the second of them registering a good time and hinting at ability.  (8) SAMAKUI KKOT and (9) MORPHEUS other newcomers with potential.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

More juvenile maidens, this time with ten of the twelve racing for the first time. (6) BREEDO WIZARD only trialled up last Saturday, but he looked good running a quick 2^nd. He was a long way back behind a proven winner (Geuma Deft) and while he comes to the races very quickly, if he can run like that again, he has a fair chance. (4) BURUI TONGCHI was an ion -ace 3^rd in his heat in September. He draws nicely to lead first-up and he should be in this a long way. (12) FLYING RACER actually won her trial, settling midfield and running on. The time wasn’t quick, and she has the challenge of the widest gate, but she clearly knows what her job is. (8) HWANHUIUI MOON beat a couple of these on his way to a good 2^nd in a fair time in her trial and should be in the mix. Of the pair with prior experience, (10) WONDERFUL KAYLAN looks to have the most potential to improve.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Maiden fillies. (6) BEST LEADER was a significant improver at start number three over this distance on September 24^th when she led for much of the way around, ultimately getting taken down late and finishing 2^nd. She draws well enough here to lead again and will be in this a long way. (4) DIA GRIT has only raced twice so far and did show improvement in the second of the She has the fastest time among these for the distance and with more improvement can be a danger. (9) DAY BY DAY has shown signs of figuring things out in her latest couple. She comes in off a fair 4^th over 1300M a month ago and should be aiming to better that here. (1) VICTOR PARTY was monumentally slow in two starts this summer but has since been back to trial where she posted a surprisingly super time when 2^nd. If she brings that form, instead of her prior form, to the races, then she can be in the mix. (11) THUNDER GONGJU another with the potential to improve.

It’s KRA Cup Classic weekend. The big race, set to include Korea Cup 3rd place-getter Winner’s Man and big rival Tuhonui Banseok, will take place over the 2000M at Seoul on Sunday. Before that, the weekend’s action gets under way with a 9-race Friday card at Busan running from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Maiden juvenile fillies here with six of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience and (6) BROWN FALCON overcame a slow start to run on for 5^th in a decent time on debut over 1000M on September 15^th. She should have come on for the run and the step up in trip can suit. (10) HUIMANG CANDY similarly started slowly on debut on September 1^st before running on well for 5^th place in a good time. She too can benefit from the run and can get closer this time. Of the first-time starters, (7) LOLLY was a close 2^nd in her trial having raced handy throughout. (4) DOCTOR ERICA also hinted at ability, crossing the line 4^th out of ten and can go well first up. (12) B.K. ZENA is the only one in the field to have raced twice already and the only one to have tackled this distance. She can improve here.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

A small but competitive field. (2) JEONGMUN LEGEND gets the tentative nod with a 2^nd and a 3^rd among his latest three starts with the placings coming at this distance. He has posted some good times and from a nice draw he can sit handy and could prove too strong. (4) CHARMING BEST improved at his latest outing on September 15^th when running on from midfield for 4^th in a good time. In this company, he can be on pace and should be in this a long way. (6) PERFECT ACTION similarly improved last time out at start number three, overcoming a slow start to run on for 2^nd place over this distance.  She was a full eleven-lengths behind a good winner but should have a say in the finish here. (5) ALICE MARINE and (3) SEOBU TWIST, the latter coming back six months after her debut and trialling up well, are others to consider.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) GREAT BOY has a 5^th and a 4^th in two starts so far at 1000M and 1200M, both times settling well back and finishing strongly. The further step up in trip can suit and it can be third-time lucky for the colt, who is out of a mare who won both the Korean Derby and Korean Oaks. The main danger is (2) ACE RUN. He enters off his equal best performance to date when 3^rd over 1300M on September 15^th. He will settle behind the speed here and can be running on late. (6) MOST RAPID has a 3^rd place to his name and that’s enough to put him in contention for at least the minors here. (1) CONCORD PARK and (7) WONDERFUL IMPACT are the others with outside chances of a place.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) POCKET MILLION will be one of the shorter priced favourites of the day. She’s steadily improved across three very positive starts so far, culminating in a close 2^nd place over this distance on September 17^th when she led for much of the way around. She will be expected to lead again here, and this time, she can go all the way. (6) CAPTAIN CHARLIE has got a bit far back in all his races so far, but he did run on pleasingly enough for 4^th last time out over 1200M. Coming back up to 1300M may suit today. (3) FANTASTIC DREAM will need to be forgiven his latest effort when he was never involved from the widest gate. He gets a better draw today and going on his 2^nd lace two starts back, warrants consideration. (2) CHOICE ROAD and (1) CHOEGANG WEEK others in the minor money hunt.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

This isn’t a strong race for the level and that means tat the up in class (11) MADE HEEMANG has every chance of going back-to-back. He scored his maiden win at start number three over 1200M on September 10^th when racing handy. He may need a touch of luck from the widest gate but there isn’t much to fear in this field. (7) RICH COWBOY was the longest shot on the board when beating a couple of these on her way to 2^nd place at this class and distance on September 15^th when coming from well off the pace. She warrants a little more respect this time. (5) DONGNAM WINNER has been a little wobbly in his latest two, but he is a winner over this trip and is worth another chance in this company (4) MASARANGGIL and (9) SKY SHOT are others in the hunt.