There is no racing this Sunday (or at all next weekend) as the long Chuseok holiday begins, so all race days have been brought forward by one. That means a rare Thursday meeting at Busan where there are 8 races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

(7) WHITE FLARE ran a solid 3^rd on debut over this distance on August 29^th, settling back and running on in a good time. He should have come on for the run and looks the one to beat in this opening maiden. (4) FANTASTIC EAGLE was also 3^rd on debut, in his case over 1000M on September 5^th when finishing off very well. He too should have improved for his first run and the step up in trip can suit. (11) CHOEGANG LOUIS was a much-improved 2^nd at start number four last time out on September 5^th when he led. He has the challenge of a wide draw this time, but he can be close again. (10) PORT MORE and (6) SAENAE HILL others in the frame.

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (6) WORLD BLUE PIN CAT has made progress across three starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place at 1200M on August 15^th when running on and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He steps up to 1400M for the first time and it could be what he needs to make his breakthrough. (7) MISS SNIPER was one of those behind World Blue Pin Cat in that race and she returned on September 7^th to lead for much of the way around before running 3^rd. She should be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (8) OWNER CHAMP has two 3^rd places from her latest three as well as the fastest time among these for the distance. (10) HEUIMANG DANBI and (1) FINAL ATTACK other placing chances.

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

(2) D’LOVELY KING wan twice last autumn, finishing 2^nd both times, and then returned following nine months out at the end of August to run 2^nd again at this class over 1200M. He should strip fitter for that run and can finally go one better here. (12) LEGEND HIT got his maiden win at start number two over 1200M on August 29^th. He comes up in class and in distance here, but he can measure up. (1) STUKA has been the beaten favourite in both his latest two, most recently when 3^rd at this class and distance on August 31^st. His win came at the 1400M and from the inside gate he can be given another chance today. (4) NAMHAE MAGIC and (8) ALL ROUND ONE are others to consider.

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

It’s been a while since (3) ASTIN MARINE won, but he enters as the form horse here with a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two both at this class and distance. One of his wins came over the 1800M and under a light weight and well-drawn, he is the one to beat. (12) SEKWANG LIGHT came from off the pace to run 3^rd over a mile on August 24^th and in this company, he may be ready for another crack at 1800M. (9) JILJU YEOLJEONG was 6^th behind Astin Marine last month but was 3^rd at this class and distance two starts back and that’s enough to have him in the mix here. (10) CHAMP GO and (11) GUKDAE HERO are other place chances in a race with little obvious early speed.

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

It’s the penultimate week of evening racing and it kicks 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 four of the eleven racing for the first time. It took (5) FANTASTIC FORCE two goes to qualify but he did it in style at the second attempt, winning his heat in a quick time having raced handy. If he brings that form to the races, then he is a winning chance first-up. (9) YONGBI SHARK ran 2^nd on debut on August 9^th, showing on the speed throughout. He should have come on for that run and can be close again. Similarly (11) TOHAMSAN DRAGON was 2^nd on debut on August 29^th, in his case at 1200M. Seo Seung-un stays on and he can be in the mix. Trial runner-up (4) ISIMNYEON JIGI, along with (7) ROYAL CRYSTAL, are others in the hunt.

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

Maiden fillies. (4) GRAND TREE was an on pace 2^nd on debut on August 22^nd over 1000M, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. She should have come on for that run, she draws well to lead again, and while she is up in trip, she can win. (10) GLOBAL FORCE was an improved 3^rd at start two over this distance on August 31^st. Third up she can be peaking fitness-wise and Seo Seung-un climbing on for the first time means she will have plenty of supporters. (8) BORYEONGUI SINYONG dead-heated for 3^rd place on debut behind Grand Tree in that August 22^nd race, coming from off the pace. She has six-lengths to make up but can be closer. (7) CRYSTAL MULGYEOL was 3^rd on debut before finishing well back in the Rookie Stakes and can be given another chance here. (6) THEMIS another who can improve.

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

(11) SEATTLE DREAM has taken to a mile well with a 3^rd, a 5^th and a 2^nd place from her three tries at it, the latest when beating four of today’s rivals when only missing out on August 29^th. She has the challenge of the widest gate but that shouldn’t be a problem, and she can go one better here. (3) CAPTAIN DRAGON was 3^rd in that August 29^th race, showing on pace throughout. That was his first outing since April so he should strip fitter for the run and from a good draw, he has every chance of overturning the form. (6) BREEDO CAPTAIN was 2^nd at this distance on September 12^th, having led for most of the way around. He comes into a better gate and can be in this a long way again. (4) SEOBU GAMBLE and (1) SOMANGUIGIL others to consider.

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

(4) BEOLMA WINNER is still a maiden but comes up in class having run 2^nd in both his latest two at 1300M and at 1400M. He is a down in weight and from a great draw, he can be on the pace and third up this preparation, he can win. (7) SIX HERO returns to action for the first time since April. He has a win and three placings from seven goes at this distance prior to the layoff and if he brings the same form to the races that he showed in a quick trial two weeks ago, he has a chance first-up. (1) BREEDO MIRACLE was a class and distance winner two starts back and while she had a hard time from the widest gate at 1300M last time out, she comes in here fresh after ten weeks out and she can be given another chance. (10) NONPAREIL and (8) GALLOP QUEEN others in the hunt.

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

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with an afternoon/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 all but three racing for the first time. (6) GOLDEN EMPIRE looked very accomplished in her trial, settling back before running on very pleasingly to cross the line on top in a quick time. If she brings that form to the races, she will be hard to beat. (1) YURIM CHANGA led for much of her heat, ultimately crossing the line a close 3^rd in a decent time. From the inside gate and with a good start, she can be in things a long way on debut. (9) I’M THE ONE and (3) WORLD EAGLE CAT have raced before, debuting together on August 22^nd. They ran 3^rd and 5^th respectively and should have come on for the experience. (4) HIGH BEAUTY is another first timer who looked to have ability in trials.

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

After an ordinary debut, (7) HEUIMANG DANBI was a much-improved 2^nd at start number two in a quick race over this distance on Augus 10^th having raced handy throughout. Third-up she can be peaking, and she can go one better today. Also third-up is (3) STRAWBERRY QUEEN. After running 2^nd on debut, she was away awkwardly at start two in the Rookie Stakes on August 17^th, ultimately finishing 6^th behind Wild Park. With a better start and from a good gate, she can be a danger here. (1) DOLPHIN KICK is a little more experienced and with two 4^th places and a 3^rd from her latest three, she seems to be figuring things out. Solitary debut maker (10) AIR CITY, along with (9) WORLD TREE are others who can play a role.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) KKEUTPAN YEOGEOL is yet to win in nine attempts but has been steadily getting closer with two runner-up finishes from her latest two outings, both at this class and distance. She likes to race on pace and is drawn very well to do so, and today she should be going one better. (2) JJAK SARANG enters off her maiden win which came at this class and distance on August 22^nd when leading all the way and beating three of today’s rivals. She comes up 2kg in weight but is nicely drawn to be on pace again and she could repeat. (6) DOCTOR MATTERS was a close 2^nd to Jjak Sarang in that August 22^nd race in what was a return to form after a couple of ordinary efforts. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time and she will have plenty of backers to overturn that form. (1) OASIS WICKY and (7) CHOEGANG TA BON are other place chances.

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

In five total starts, (5) NICE BUDDY is yet to finish outside of the top three and enters off a win over 1300M on August 24^th when he was on pace all the way. That brings him up in class, as well as slightly up in trip, and while he doesn’t get a weight drop, he can measure up. (3) NAEPYEON hasn’t won for a long time, but he comes in here with recent form reading very well with three consecutive 2^nd places form his latest three, all at this class and distance. Franco gets on for the first time and from a good gate, they could go one better. (10) BEOLGYO WANGCHO will need a line drawn through his latest couple including a go at class 3 last time. He is a class and distance winner though and brand-new apprentice Nam Jeong-hyeok has a chance here. (11) FANTASTIC BLUE and (6) UNJU CHALLENGE are others to consider.

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

The weekend’s racing gets underway 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 six of the ten racing for the first time. (4) GEUMA ADEPT was the best of the newcomers in trials, leading all the way in an August heat and crossing the line plenty of lengths to the good in a fast time. If he brings that form to the races, he can win. (6) GEUMSEONG was sent off as favourite on his debut on August 15^th at this distance but despite racing handy throughout, was a well-beaten 3^rd. He should have come on for that run and can be closer here. Those two will be a long way clear at the top of the market. (9) HWARYEOHAN SUNGAN did nothing on debut in July but has since been back to trial and can improve here. (2) TOP RANKER and (7) ANY WIN other place chances.

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

(5) HIGH LEVEL has looked like she is figuring things out in his latest two when 2^nd and 3^rd, the latter at this distance on August 15^th when coming from midfield and beating three of today’s rivals. She won’t need to improve much on that to win this. (8) CHAMP KING was a slightly disappointing 5^th in that race but he has shown consistency with three top five finishes now from four starts, He can sit handy here and can finish strongly. (4) PERFECT HAN was another also-ran in the August 15^th race. He was sent off as favourite after a runner-up finish at this distance on July 18^th and with Seo Seung-un aboard for the first time, he will have plenty giving him another chance. (7) REMENT and (10) BREEDO CAPTAIN can be considered on a place line.

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

(4) ACE SUN was 2^nd on debut over this distance on August 9^th, showing close to the pace throughout. He was a full ten-lengths behind the winner but should have come on for the run and from a good draw he can be on pace again and go one better. After an inauspicious debut, (9) SILVER STONE has scored a 2^nd and a 3^rd in two subsequent efforts, both over this distance and both times coming from off the pace. Given her racing style, the wide draw won’t matter, and she is a chance here. (7) WINNING TREE raced twice in late winter with a 2^nd on debut his best. During his layoff, he has been gelded, and he looked well enough in an August trial to suggest he can be a player first up here. (10) BAEKPAL BOEUN and (5) TIGER UPPERCUT others in the hunt.

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

(10) GRAND MORE was 2^nd on debut in May but unseated his rider before a scheduled start at the end of June and had a gallop by himself. He reappeared on August 9^th when he ran out a ten-length winner (beating Ace Sun, who we saw in race 3). He is up in class, but the manner of that victory suggests that there can be more to come. (9) TIGER MONSTER was an all the way winner on debut over 1000M on August 15^th, scoring comfortably in a quick time. He is up in class and in trip, but he is down 3kg in weight, and he can measure up. (3) APDOJEOK NUMBERONE was a winner at this class and distance on August 10^th and while up in weight, can be in the mix again and will probably be favourite. (6) HANEUL POKPUNG was very close 2^nd in that August 10^th race and along with (7) GREEN SHARPEY, is another in the hunt.

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

It’s International Weekend in Korea! Racing gets under way with an 8-race afternoon and evening card at Busan on Friday from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens in the opener with five of the nine racing for the first time. We generally prefer experience in these kinds of races, and this is no exception as (2) DOCTOR ACE has raced twice, improving to 3^rd place at start number two over this distance on August 9^th. He draws well and third up he can be peaking. The best of the first-timers is (4) YURIM ACE. She was an on pace trial winner in mid-August and if she brings that form to the races, she will be in the finish. (8) SAENAE HILL has run 5^th and 4^th in her two outings to date and like Doctor Ace, she can be fitter here. Newcomers (1) TOHAMSAN ONE and (9) FANTASTIC EAGLE hinted at ability in their respective trials.

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

(4) SEINE GANG has raced three times with his best being his latest when 3^rd at this distance on August 2^nd, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. In this company and well-drawn, he should be among the early leaders and looks the one to beat. (8) QUEEN THE GOLD was 5^th behind Seine Gang two starts back and then ran 4^th on August 15^th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. That was her best in eleven attempts but among this company, she should be aiming to better it. (7) SKY BOY raced a couple of times in the spring with a best of 4^th on debut. He returns after nineteen weeks off having trialed fairly and with Tanaka on, he can go well. (3) HIT WINNER and (11) WONDER MOCCASIN others in the hunt.

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

Very competitive looking maiden. (5) FINAL HIT enters off a best so far 2^nd over 1300M on August 22^nd, settling handier than in previous outings and running on well. A previous go at 1400M didn’t go especially well but he can be ready for another crack and has as good a chance as any. (8) DOCTOR SOLAR has been knocking at the door recently with his latest being a 3^rd place over this distance on August 10^th. His best finish of 2^nd also came at this distance, and he can be a danger from off the pace. (4) UNJU MAGIC was a much-improved 4^th at start number two on August 10^th and he can continue to make progress here. (9) SOMANGUIGIL and (10) MUHAN NAREUSHA among plenty of others in with a shout.

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

(2) ONE WAY was a winner at this class and distance on August 1^st, racing handy throughout and running on. She comes up 2.5kg in weight but that’s balanced by drawing the same gate, and she can repeat. (3) BURUI TONGCHI got his sole win to date all the way back at start number two, but he has a 2^nd and a 4^th among his latest three, the latter on his latest on August 2^nd when on pace throughout. From gate three he is a possible leader here, and a potential winner. (9) TRIPLE AXEL is a winner at this distance and hinted at a return to form when 5^th on August 9^th. Franco being booked catches the eye. (1) THUNDER PASSION and (6) HEAVY DUTY are others to consider.

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