The 2024 racing season 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

The New Year kicks off with a full field of three-year-old maidens with ten of the twelve racing for the first time. Both the two with prior experience did well, coming home in 3^rd place in their respective debuts and they will be the top picks. (4) FLEX DAY settled midfield on her debut on October 29^th, settling midfield and running on well in a fair time. She has had ten weeks off so comes in fresh again and looks the one to beat. (10) BLACK JILJU raced on pace on her debut on December 1^st. Her time was slower than that of Flex Day and she has the challenge of a wide draw here, but she is the man danger. As for the first-time starters, (9) MIRACLE MARINE won a trial in December leading all the way and shapes as the most likely to make and immediate impact. (12) BLAZING MAN and (7) NAEPYEON others who hinted at ability in the mornings.

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

(10) KWAEHAN YEONGUNG will be a short price favourite here. He ran 3^rd on debut back in August and then didn’t return until December 10^th when he repeated the trick over this distance and with three of today’s rivals behind him. He may need some early luck from the wide gate, but he won’t need to improve much to win this. (9) SHACKLE ZONE comes in having run a much-improved 2^nd over this distance on December 1^st. The time wasn’t quick, but he finished off well and can be given another chance here. (3) OAK RIDGE and (8) MACH MAN came home 4^th and 5^th respectively behind Kwaehan Yeongung in that December 10^th race and both can be considered to match or better that here. (4) MORPHEUS among others in the placing hunt.

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (8) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA has a pair of 4^th places and a 3^rd from three starts so far, most recently over this distance on December 8^th when coming from well off the pace. She has proven capable to race on the speed as well and she is the one to beat here. (10) QUEEN’S FLETAR comes into contention following a strong 2^nd place at this distance on December 8^th. In doing so she recorded the fastest time among those who have tackled the distance before, and she has proven herself to have a strong finish. That makes her second pick here. (7) HEUIMANG FLYING was 3^rd behind Queen’s Flatter in that race, having led for part of the way around. That continued a consistent start to her career, and she should be there or thereabouts again today. (2) LIGHT BROWN and (6) SMART SMILE the others who can enter the calculations.

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

(10) ROAD STAR was a winner over 1200M at class 6 level in November before running 3^rd behind Baekduui Kkum in a Listed race for juvenile fillies at the start of December at big odds. She has run consistent times; she has been versatile in her running style and the slight step up to 1300M can suit here. (4) HANEUL EUTTEUM ran out a winner on debut over 1200M on December 1^st, settling handy and running on. He comes up in class and slightly in distance here but draws well and a repeat isn’t impossible. (7) GUKDAE HERO is up in class following a win at start number four in a quick race on a very wet track over this distance. He doesn’t get a weight drop, but a repeat of that effort will put him in the mix again. (11) BLUE CAPTAIN and (1) TWO TWO LIME others in the minor money frame.

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

(5) LEMON PIE was a winner back on debut and has since run well for a pair of 4^th places and a runner-up finish in three goes at this level. She draws well to get a nice run to the lead here and she is very much the one to beat. (1) YONGBI STAR comes up in class having scored her maiden win at start number six over this distance on December 3^rd, when slowly away but quickly on pace and proving too strong. The win had been coming and she can measure up in this company. (2) DOCTOR KONGDOLI can mix his form, but he has loads of experience at this level and looks nicely in under a light weight and in a good gate. (4) CHAS PALPAL and (6) MOST RAPID among others in the hunt.

The final weekend of the year gets underway with a 9-race Friday card at Busan 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 seven of the twelve racing for the very first time. We’ll go with one of the first timers and (2) BANG BANG BANG, who beta a couple of today’s rivals in her trail when she settled steadily and ran on well, crossing the line only in 5^th place but in a quick time. The 1200M should suit first up and if she brings the trial form to the races, she has a chance. (7) HAEUNDAE SUNSHINE raced just the once, all the way back in August registering a midfield finish over the 1000M. She looked well in a trial two weeks ago and can get closer this time around. (5) GOOD KING MAN weakened badly at start number three earlier this month over 1400M but going on his November outing when 2^nd at this distance, he has to be in the frame. (6) CHAS QUEEN is another debut maker who hinted at ability in trials. (10) FANTASTIC HUMOR did little on debut but can improve.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Millin

The second division of the juvenile maiden, this time with seven of the eleven making their racing debuts. Among the four with prior experience is the probably short price favourite, (10) DRAGON PUNCH. After a good trial, she overcame gate eleven to run a good 3^rd on debut over this distance on November 26^th. Racing handy throughout. She should strip fitter for the run and can win this. Second in the market will be (4) NONSTOP DUTY. She has raced four times so far, with three 4^th places among them. She has posted good times along the way at both this trip and at 1300M, and similar run today should see her improving on those 4ths. (8) GLOBAL SPURT won a November trial and while he did nothing on debut on December 1^st, he can be forgiven that and given another chance here. Among the debut makers, (9) RIVERSTONE and (6) FLYING THE LUCKY potentially have the best chance of an immediate impact.

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (3) GREEN CHIEF has shown steady progress across four starts so far, culminating with a 2^nd place over this distance on December 8^th when handy throughout. She draws nicely here to sit behind the speed again and she can prove too strong. (7) SHINING MORNING comes in off a 4^th place at start number three over this distance on December 1^st when she led for much of the way. From an adequate draw, she can be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (6) SAENAE HIT has run fairly for 5^th and 6^th place finishes in two starts so far, both over this distance. She has raced handy both times and should be doing similar today with designs on an improved finish. There are a couple of first-time starters and (1) RAID HIT came through her trial well, racing on pace. She draws well and can put in a bold first-up showing here. (2) META PRINCESS another in the hunt.

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

More maidens and it’s hard to go past (3) SINCHEON FIRST. He has four to-four finished from five starts and has been getting closer recently. He enters off a strong runner-up finish over this 1300M on December 3^rd.  He likes to race on pace and the step up to 1400M for the first time can suit. (4) WIND MAGIC returned from nine months off to run 4^th over 1200M at the end of November. Before her layoff, she had a couple of 3^rd place finishes to her name, and she can strip fitter here. (2) ROAD TO TOP has a best of 2^nd from his four starts so far, coming at 1200M. He does have experience of trying this distance already and from a good draw, he can be a danger today. (10) SAVAGE GIRL and (8) STORMY DAY are others in the frame.

The first of four days of Christmas racing is on Friday with 8 races from 12:10 to 18:00. (There will be 7-race programs at Seoul on Saturday and Sunday with Busan also contributing 10 races on Sunday before Seoul hosts a standalone 12-race Christmas Day meeting on Monday). Here are Friday’s previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Jockey Choi Eun-gyeong had a field day last Friday and she can keep her good run going here with (5) GREAT MAN. After a nondescript debut in August, he had three months off and then looked much better when stepped up to this trip and running 4^th on November 5^th having led throughout. His time was much quicker than anything else here has managed and he should be on pace and can go all the way. (2) SEKWANG CHOEGANG has been slow away in both starts do far but has shown a good turn of foot. He draws nicely here and if he can be a bit closer a bit earlier, he can be a danger. (10) BREEDO WIZARD was well fancied on debut having trialled well and he put in a fair performance in 4^th place over this distance on October 20^th. He comes in here fresh and can build on that today. (8) FLYING ACE has been back to trial since his poor debut and could be a different prospect this time. (11) ARION KING another in the frame.

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

(5) BEAT DRAGON will be a short-priced favourite here. He ran 4^th on debut over 1200M in October before being 2^nd at 1400M on November 17^th when settling back and running on well. Seo Seung-un climbs aboard and from a good gate he can settle behind the speed and go one better this time. (2) TAEPUNGUI CHUKJE comes in off best finish to date o f2nd over 1200M on November 19^th when midfield and running on well. He comes up to the 1300M for the first time and it can suit. (1) YONGBI CHEONWANG enters off back-to-back 4^th place finishes over this distance racing on pace both times. There isn’t much early speed in this race so from the inside gate, he should get an easy run to the lead, and he can be in this a long way. The form falls off significantly after those three, with (8) TWOTWO MONEYGUN and (7) SPRIT FIGHTER perhaps the best of the rest.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) WISE KING ran once, all the way back in January, and won very easily over 1200M. He has been through two trials, in October and in November, finishing 2n din both in quick times. He should therefore be match fit enough, he draws nicely, and he can win first-up here. (3) BEST CHAMP got his win at this distance back in September. He was back in the pack when slowly on his first try at this class in October but returned to form with a runner-up finish over 1200M on November 24^th. The start is important for him and if he can be on or close to the pace, he has every chance here. (9) BEST LEADER comes up in class having scored her maiden win at start number five at this distance on November 19^th when on pace throughout. Her time was good, and she can measure up in this company. (6) ACHIMUI HUIMANG will need to be taken on trust racing for the first time since August but along with (4) BURUI JEWAMG, is another to consider.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(7) AUTUMN BREEZE is the one to beat here. She made her breakthrough at start number five on November 17^th when she made all over this distance, scoring aby a full ten-lengths and stopping the clock in a fast time. She comes up in class here, but that win had been coming and the manner of it suggests that she has plenty more in the tank. This isn’t an especially strong race for the level and that means (6) SANGIM STAR, a distance runner-up to Autumn Breeze in that November 17^th race, could get closest again. She comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes at this distance and under a light weight, she has the potential for more improvement having only raced four times. (4) HAVE A GOOD YEAR is another up in class. He returned from five months off on November 19^th to make all over this distance and from a good gate can be on pace and in this a long way. Among those with experience of this class already. (8) GLORY SONG and (1) BEST WIND are probably the best of a limited set.

It’s Grand Prix Stakes weekend with the big race at Seoul this Sunday afternoon. The action gets underway at Busan on Friday though 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 fillies with all twelve racing for the first time. (12) NAMHAE YEOGEOL went fastest in trials leading for most of the way before a six-time winner (Road To V) cruised by late. She has the challenge of the widest gate but on that form, she warrants a serious chance. (2) CHIMING RUN sat handy and wide in her trial, responding well when asked for an effort and finishing off nicely in a good time. She draws well and that will probably be enough for her to start as the favourite. (6) PASSION trialled up fairly in a quick heat. She is a half to plenty of useful runners and the 1200M should suit first-up. (8) FLYING BABY and (7) BAEKPAL BOEUN, the latter having been through three trials, are among others who can go well first-up. As ever in this type of race, keep an eye on the market.

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported juvenile maidens with four of the twelve racing for the first time. Five of the experienced ones faced each other in a very similar race on November 17^th. Having won a trial, (7) BIWOL was the best fancied among them and he ran well for 2^nd place, having sat handy throughout and is probably the one to beat here. (8) WINNABLE EDITION was a touch slow out of the gate in his trial but was ridden up to the lead and then ran on very nicely to cross the line in front in a quick time. He won’t need to improve much on that trial to go close. (5) BEOLMAUI JEONSA looked very useful on debut over this distance on October 27^th, leading for much of the way and ultimately coming home 4^th in a good time. He should have come on for that and can be on pace again here. (1) LOVE KING IJI and (12) MASTERY MAN came home in 3^rd and 4^th place in that November 17^th race, and they too can come on here. 

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) BEST PRIME has improved across three starts so far, culminating in a 2^nd place over this distance on November 19^th when handy to the speed throughout. He comes in under the same weight, he draws well, and he can go one better today. (3) GUKDAE HERO has one howler over 1400M sandwiched between two creditable performances when 2^nd and 3^rd, both at 1200M. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be doing his best work late again here. (11) RUNNING FASHION has mixed her form across three six starts so far but her 3^rd place at this distance two outings back suggest she can be in the mix here. (4) TODAY QUEEN and (7) AMAZING MOVE other potential improvers.

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

After a fair debut, (4) HANEUL MANJEOM was a much-improved 2^nd at start number two on November 12^th when close to the pace throughout and stopping the clock in a good time. He draws well, he should be on pace again, and third-up he can be peaking fitness wise. (1) MORPHEUS led for part of his debut on October 20^th, ultimately coming home in 5^th place in what was a slowly run race. He should have benefitted from the experience and from a great draw can be on the speed here and in this a long way. (5) B.K. WARRIOR was an improved 2^nd at start number four on November 3^rd settling handy and running on to only go down narrowly. She remains under a light weight here and can be close again. First-time starter (10) UNJU LEGEND, along with (2) TENGRE, are others to consider.

This weekend sees the penultimate big races of the season with the Breeders’ Cup Rookie, the champion juvenile race, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Queen, for fillies and mares at Busan on Sunday. That means plenty of Seoul-based jockeys are also in town as 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 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Juvenile fillies in the opener and it should be competitive. (11) SMART SMILE has made progress across three starts so far, most recently a 2^nd place over this distance in a similar all-filly race on November 10^th when settling right back after a slow start and running on well. She has also posted the fastest time among these for the distance and has every chance of making the breakthrough here. (6) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA ran 4^th on debut over 1000M in September before repeating that finish when tried at this distance for the first time on November 3^rd. In this company she can be ridden on pace, and she looks a danger. (1) UNJU JILJU raced once in July finishing a fair 6^th over 1000M in a decent time. She looked well in a November trial and can be competitive first up here. (9) ALICE MARINE and (2) GREEN CHIEF others in the hunt.

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

(6) HI WINNER has a 4^th and a 3^rd from two starts so far, most recently over 1400M on November 17^th when handy throughout. She can sit behind the speed again here and with a bit more natural improvement, she can win this. (5) HEUIMANG FLYING ran 3^rd on debut over 1000M before overcoming the widest gate to finish a fair 5^th in a very slow race on November 12^th. The pace should be a little more honest this time around and she can get closer. (2) BURUI JEWANG comes in off a 5^th and a 6^th place from her latest two, both at this distance. She draws nicely and a similar run can see her get closer today. (8) HERE THE QUEEN and (7) GWANGSOKMA, the latter who shouldn’t be judged on his debut in that November 12^th race when they went at a crawl, are others to consider for improvement.

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

More maidens with the four widest drawn all racing for the first time. None caught the eye in trials, so we have to side with the experience, even though that form is patchy itself. The favourite will probably be (3) BROWN FALCON who has finished between 4^th and 6^th in her three starts so far, settling back and running on. Form a good draw and with a lack of early speed in this race, she may well be ridden further forward today, and she has a smart finish on her. (4) GLOBAL WEEK ran three times in the spring and the early summer with a useful 4^th sandwiched between two very plain efforts. He steps out for the first time since July and if he can bring his November trial form to the races, then he should go well. (1) CHRYSOL HERO has the fastest time among these for the distance and that’s enough to put him in the hunt for the minors here. (2) WHITE FALCON and newcomer (9) TRIPLE AXEL perhaps the best of a limited rest.

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

(9) KOHINOOR has shown steady improvement across four starts so far, culminating in a 3^rd place over 1200M on November 12^th. She likes to settle back and run on and the step up to this trip for the first time can be to her benefit. (3) YEONGGWANGUIPRINCE was a significantly improved 3^rd over 1300M on November 10^th when settling midfield from a wide agate and running on. He is another for who the additional distance can be a plus and he should be in this. (8) YONGBI KHAN beat thee of these on her way to a best finish of 3^rd over this distance on November 10^th and that’s enough to put her in the frame here. (5) GOOD KING MAN and (2) AQUARIUS others to keep safe on a place line.

December’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 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with eight of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on a newcomer although there is a caveat. (9) HANEUL EUTTEUM trialled up nicely at the start of November, running a very close 2^nd in a quick time and racing on pace. However, he had previously failed several trials for manners – weaving all over the home straight in one and abruptly stopping in the early stages in another. If those issues are fixed and he brings his latest trial form to the races, he is a chance. He’ll need to be taken on trust though and the probable favourite is (1) SAENAE HIT. He was favourite on debut as well after a good trial and ran a fair 5^th over this distance. He will be on the speed here and should have come on for the experience. (5) SEOBU VISION took two goes to qualify but posted a quick time second time around and is another newcomer who can be on the speed. (6) SANGIM BOLT and trial winner (10) GLOBAL SPURT others to consider.

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

(9) SHINE FOREST was a quick 3^rd on debut over 1000M in September before following up with a 2^nd place when tried at this distance for start number two on October 29^th when she sat behind the early speed and ran on, stopping the clock in a good time. She can go one better here. (8) DAY BY DAY is yet to finish in the top three but has ended up in 4^th of 5^th in each of her last five outings. Along the way she has posted the fastest time of any of these for the distance and she should be securing a best to date finish here.  Solitary debut-maker (7) ROAD TO PARTY was an on-pace 2^nd in his trial in a good time at the end of October. This isn’t stiff company to debut in, so he has to be given a chance first-up. (10) RED JASPER and (5) CHOEGANG WEEK among others in the placing hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(11) GRAY QUEEN came out of the same wide gate she draws today to close from well off the pace for 2^nd place at start number two over 1200M on November 3^rd. She was a full ten-lengths behind the winner, Running Tree, but the additional half furlong should suit, and she will be doing her best work late on again. (8) VALHALLA is probably worth another chance. He weakened badly on debut over this distance on November 10^th, but it was just a week after he exerted himself plenty in winning a trial. He has had three weeks off this time and may reproduce his trial form. (5) THE BIG SHOT comes in off a couple of 4^th place finishes, most recently behind Gray Queen in that November 3^rd race and she should be there of thereabouts. (7) DORAON ZETTA and (3) SKY YEONGUNG – who was dreadful on debut but had previously hinted at ability in trials – are others who should be in the frame.

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

(4) CHARMING BEST comes up in class having broken through at the fifth time of asking, winning a quick race over 1200M in fine style on November 5^th. He draws nicely to get on pace again and he can measure up in this company. (9) FABULOUS BEATER is yet to win in seven starts, but comes in off three consecutive runner-up finishes, most recently at this class and distance n October 27^th when settling midfield and finishing off well. It was a quick time and while he comes up slightly in the weights, he can potentially go one better here. (10) DONGNAM WINNER got her maiden win two starts back with a brisk score over this distance. She ran a fair 5^th of eleven on her first try at this class in a similarly quick race on November 5^th and she shouldn’t be far away here. (11) JEONGMUN LEGEND and (6) CHAS PALPAL among others to keep safe.