The weekend’s racing gets underway on Friday at Busan with a 9-race card from 12:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with six of the eight racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience and (7) HANEUL SEUNGNI, who led for much of his debut on September 30th, ultimately coming home in 3rd place in fast time. He should have derived benefit from that run and won’t need to improve much to win here. There are some promising first-timers. (5) YONGSANG UNGI won her trial, sitting handy and then running on in fair time. If she brings that form to the races, she can go close. (1) HAERANG YOUNGUNG showed prominently in his trial and from the inside gate, should be on pace here and in this a long way. (9) SUCCESS MOCCA improved in the second of two trials and if he has continued to make progress, can be competitive here. (2) EVER STAR didn’t do much on debut but draws nicely and can improve.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

The second division of the juvenile maiden with six of the eight runners racing for the first time. This time the favourite will be a newcomer in the shape of (1) BREAD HIT. She made all in her trial, stopping the clock in a fair time and from a good draw and with an apprentice claiming 3kg, she may take some beating first-up. The main danger is one of the experienced ones. (3) BLUE ICON was a much-improved 3^rd at start number two on October 7^th when sitting behind the early leaders and running on well. She comes down significantly in the weights under an apprentice claim here and she can be competitive. Returning to the first timers, (7) SUCCESS TIME was the next best in trials and looks a money chance with (8) HAMPYEONG IS BACK and (4) RUN FIRST others to keep an eye on.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

It’s hard to look too far past (2) AREUMDAUN INYEON here. She has steadily improved across three starts to date, culminating in her latest on October 7^th when she beat three of today’s rivals on her way to 2^nd place over this distance. She was slowly away that day and settled right at the back but she has run on pace before and from a great draw, Chae Sang-hyun can pick his spot and she won’t need to improve much to win here. (6) HWANGU FIGHTER was 3^rd in that October 7^th race. He has a length and a half to make up over Areumdaun Inyeon here but he too has shown progress across his three starts and could continue to get better. (4) MYEONGSEONG CHARGE enters off a much-improved runner-up finish over 1300M on October 2^nd. She raced on pace that day and is well drawn to get forward again and she can be in this a long way. (8) TAP DREAM and (5) PURE MAGIC among others on a place line.

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

Fillies and mares only here. (2) THUNDER CLOUD got her solitary win to date over this distance four starts back in a time faster than any of the others have achieved. Since then she has established herself as competitive at this level including a good 2^nd in another fats time in September. She draws much better than she did when 5^th on her latest outing on October 9^th and an apprentice jockey takes the weight down. She has strong claims here. It’s been a long time since (5) SPICE INDIE won but her latest couple of outings read well with a 4^th and a 5^th, at a mile and at this distance. She tends to go right back but she has a strong finish on her and should be working home well. (1) GOLD ROSE was an excellent all the way winner on debut and while she has come up short in two outings since, she is perhaps worth another chance today from a very good gate. (7) GREAT GO and (4) JEONGDUN-RO are others in at least the placing frame.

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

The second division of the class 5 handicap for fillies and mares. (6) WONDERFUL FILE returned from three months out to run a creditable 6^th at this distance on October 23rd, breaking from a wide gate and settling back before finishing off well. She should have come on for that run, she draws better today, and she has as good a chance as any here. (9) GAMDONG ENERGY is yet to win in nine attempts but has some decent runs behind her. Two previous efforts at this trip didn’t go especially well but she looks ready for another crack here and an apprentice keeps her carried weight nice and light. (5) OMEGA GIRL mixes her form but she has the fastest time of any at the distance and can be a threat. (2) HONOR QUEEN has settled back in her latest two and run on well both times. In this company she can be competitive. (8) SUSO POWER another with minor money hopes.

This week’s big race is in Busan with Korea Sprint winner Eoma Eoma in town to contest the Kookje Shinmun Trophy on Sunday. And it’s on the south coast where the week’s action kicks off on Friday afternoon with an 8-race card from 12:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens with seven of the twelve racing for the very first time. (5) SEOBU BIGSTEP debuted in the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes at the start of this month and while he showed on pace, it ultimately proved too much too soon. He previously won a trial in a fast time and coming back to the minimum distance and into more amenable company, we should see a much better showing today. (7) FLYING TOUCH ran a good 2^nd on debut on September 16^th, sitting on the speed throughout, before being left behind by a good winner. He should have derived benefit from that run and may start as favourite here. Of the first time starters, (3) YEONGGWANGUI ACE won his trial without being asked to do very much. He strode nicely through the line and from a good draw can go well first up. (11) SKY PUNCH ran on strong in his trial alongside some experience racehorses and along with (10) WONDERFUL TOP is another who can show positively on debut.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(6) VICTOR BASIUM has been sent off as favourite in both his two starts since returning from ten months out. He has been on-pace both times but ultimately found a couple too quick and finished 3^rd on each occasion. Third-up this preparation, he may be peaking, he should be on pace again, and it can be third time lucky here. That would mean overturning the form on (9) USEUNG YEOGEOL. She ran in a career-best 2^nd when beating Victor Basium on September 30^th. She once more carries a very light weight and she should be running on strong late on again. (7) SPEED MAST has been knocking on the door for a while now. He can settle behind the leaders here and can be running into the money. (3) NONSTOP SONG, who along with Useung Yeogeol, has the joint-fastest time for the distance of any in this field is another one who can go well and from a good draw can challenge Victor Basium for the early lead. (1) HALLA BAEKDU also in the placing frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Back to the juveniles here and (2) NICHOLAS G. will be favoured to score at star number two. On debut on September 30^th, he sat handy before running on for a close 2^nd over 1000M and the small step up in trip may assist him here. (5) SOUTHERN JOY has raced twice before, finishing 3^rd and 4^th, both at 1000M. He can be expected to lead here and he can be in this a long way. (9) CHANGCHANG DAERO debuted at this trip on October 2^nd and having settled back in the field, ran on strongly for 4^th. He should have come on for that run and can be competitive again here. (7) GLOBAL SARANG finished in 5^th place in that race, just a Head behind Changchang Daero. That was his second start and he showed progress from his first and can show some more here. (1) THUNDER FURY was a touch disappointing when favourite on her second start on September 18^th but she draws better today and can be given another chance.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

There’s no Stakes action this weekend but there is still plenty to keep us occupied with a competitive Friday card at Busan from 12:50 to 18:00 kicking things off:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with only one of the twelve having previously raced. That experience may well serve (1) AMUR in good stead though. She overcame a wide draw to run 3rd in a fair time on debut on September 16th and with some natural improvement and a better draw, she can win this. (3) ALPHA BRAVO is the pick of the newcomers. She was an on-pace 3rd in her trial, stopping the clock in a good time. She draws well to get to the speed here and she won’t need to improve much on that showing to be in the mix here. (7) KELLY QUEEN won her trial, sitting handy and then running on well in a fair time, while (8) BURUICHUKJE too performed well in her heat, starting slowly but running home well. (2) SKY SHOT is another who posted the kind of time to suggest that she can be competitive first up.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens with all of the twelve having raced at least once before. (5) BUILD UP showed promise across three starts over 1200M including a runner-up finish in a fast time at the start of September. He was then given his chance in the Areumdaun Jilju Stakes facing the best juveniles at the track, where he wasn’t able to make much of an impact but ran on fairly enough to beat a couple home. He returns to shallower waters today and can win. The main danger looks to be (7) ILGANG DAERO. He comes back in trip having led for much of the way around over 1400M on September 16th, ultimately finishing 2nd, well beaten by a good winner. The distance here can suit. We’ll draw a line through (9) VEREUDA’s debut when slowly away and then well back. He had previously trialed nicely and is worth another chance here. (8) WONDERFUL APPEAL and (1) PEGACORN others in the hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

It’s hard to look too far past (3) PATRIOT here. There was more than a year between his debut and his second start but he looked very well when returning on September 25^th and racing handy throughout, running on for 2^nd place at 1200M. He draws well here, the additional half furlong shouldn’t be a problem, and he may take some beating. (8) B. K. HUNTER returned from a similarly lengthy absence on September 30^th and put in a pleasing run, sitting midfield and improving to 4^th at the finish over 1200M. He doesn’t benefit from an apprentice claim this time but he should strip fitter for that run, and can go close. (7) ADELE HORANGI is another that doesn’t have a claim on board this time, but he has finished off his races well and may appreciate the slight step up in trip here. (1) WISE BOY ran 3^rd behind Patriot last month and while he has six-lengths to make up on the favourite, he can beat plenty of these. (9) LET IT GO another in the frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

It’s KRA Cup Classic weekend with the big race at Seoul on Sunday. The action gets underway though at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 12:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with four of the eight racing for the first time. This time the first-timers look to have the edge and (5) SAVAHA will be hot favourite. He went through two trials, improving significantly in the second of them in August when on pace throughout and crossing the line well ahead of everything else in a fast time. If he runs to that level here, he will win. (8) HANGANG SAVER showed well in a trial, sitting midfield and then running on in a fair time. He too should go well first-up. Of the experienced ones, (3) NALA has shown the most so far, running fairly in two relatively strong races. She should improve here. (1) B.K. ROAN and another debut-maker, (6) HELLO SUNSHINE are others in the hunt.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(8) JEONGMUN CHITA just about gets the nod here based on his last start 4^th place when trying this distance for the first time and beating a couple of today’s rivals on September 23^rd. He led for much of that race, should have come on for that experience and is the one to beat. With an apprentice engaged, (5) GLOBAL CATCHER comes back to the weight she carried when 2^nd over 1400M two starts back. She can tend to get a bit far back in her races but the mile can suit and she will be running on. (7) WISH LUCK also comes up to this distance for the first time. She is another who likes to settle back and run on and can go close here. (1) EONJENA YEONGUNG and (4) GEUMUI MAN others in the placing frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden. (2) TAKE ADELE comes in off a solid 4^th place over this distance on September 25^th when settling midfield, dropping back and then running on. An apprentice takes 4kg off and with no early speed in this race, she can get a good position from a good draw and has as much chance as any here. (8) UNJU SSAGSSEULI will probably be favourite based on her 3^rd place at start number two in early September. She was away badly on her return to action on September 30^th and finished down the field but with a better start should be much closer today. (5) TITAN K comes back in trip and down in the weights with an apprentice on board and that should be enough to bring her into contention. (4) STORM AGAIN and (3) WONDERFUL SMARTY are others who can enter the calculations.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(8) RADAR will be hot favourite to score here. She got her maiden win in her return to action following five months out in August with a front-running effort over this distance, before finished 2^nd on her first try at this class in an all-filly race over 1400M. She will be on pace again and will be hard to beat. (6) EAGLE STAR is the main danger. He enters in goof form following back-to-back runner-up finishes at this class and distance and while he comes up 3kg in the weights, he can be competitive again. He can settle midfield and he has a strong finish. (11) SMARTY DOLPUNG is a consistent type who has been no worse than 5^th in her last four outings. She comes back in trip, gets a light weight and the wide draw shouldn’t matter too much. The up in class pair of (1) NICE DAY and (5) BUSAN SORY are others who can be in the frame.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

There are two standouts here. (5) WIND CROSS is yet to win in nine attempts but has only finished outside of the top four on one occasions. He comes in off back-to-back runner-up finishes, both at this class and the latter over this distance. In this company he can settle on pace or handy and then run on. Today can be his day. The big danger is (4) ALL CROWN. She does have a win on the board, scored over 1300M at class 6 level and she has subsequently proven competitive in this class too. She enters off two consecutive 3^rd place finishes at class and distance and while she got a bit far back in both of those, she has a strong finish and will be running on. (2) GOLDEN POINT is up in class following a few too many near-misses. He draws well, comes into a good gate, and can measure up, (11) MILK DAY and (3) SUSO POWER are among others to consider.

The weekend’s action gets underway at Busan on Friday where there are 8 races from 12:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Maiden juvenile fillies here. With six of the nine racing for the first time. Two of the experienced ones have shown well already though and (1) HAMPYEONG SHINE will be the favourite. After running fairly on debut, she ran a smart 2nd at start number two on September 4th, having led for most of the way around. She draws well, should be on pace again and a similar run will take some beating. (7) TAP DREAM was less than a length in arrears in 3rd place in that September 4th race, having run handy throughout. She too improved from her debut and can go close again here. Turning to the first-timers, (5) FLYING DIA went through two September trials, improving significantly in the second of them when on pace and can make a bold showing here. (4) GRAPHENE RAP WORLD ran on pleasingly enough in a decent time in her trial and along with (6) CHARON DAY is another capable of making a good first impression.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Competitive race with two standouts. (4) SPECIAL HERO raced twice without distinction at the start of the year but having then been put away after the second of those in February. She returned looking much better in August and has run 4^th and 2^nd in two starts since, both at this distance and in decent times. With an apprentice aboard, she carries a light weight and third-up can be peaking fitness-wise. (3) AREUMDAUN INYEON has been well-backed in both starts so far, finishing an improved 3^rd in the second of them over 1400M on August 28^th. She was on pace throughout and the step back in trip can suit here. Also improving at start number two was (2) NONSTOP SONG. He was an on pace 2^nd over this distance on September 4^th and from a much better gate, he can be in the finish again. (8) HWANGU FIGHTER and (10) PUNGUN JOHWA are others with placing hopes.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

More maidens here. (4) BRAVO HAMYANG will be the warm favourite. Having been sent back to trial after finishing well back over this distance in July, he returned on September 4^th to run a strong 2^nd over 1300M overcoming gate eleven to get to the pace. He should have come on for that run and has strong claims here. (10) STAR MATTA has four finishes between 3^rd and 5^th and the fastest time among those who have tackled this trip, achieved on his latest outing on September 16^th when handy throughout. The draw is not ideal but nor is it insurmountable, and he can aim for a best finish to date. (5) DUBAI PYEONGJEONG ran on fairly on debut over 1000M on August 21^st. He should have improved for the experience and the additional trip may be more suitable. (9) FUSAICHI returns for the first time since MAY and along with (8) DAEJI FLY, is another to consider for the minors.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(8) DOCTOR KONGSUNI remains a maiden having been promoted to this class with a pair of runner-up finishes. She lost her way a little but looks to be back in form with a 5^th and a 4^th since returning from five months off and could be peaking here under a light weight. The main danger is (4) CHOEGANG FORCE. A winner over this distance ant class 6 level in July he has since finished 2^nd and 4^th in two attempts at this level. His style is to settle back and run on and so long as he doesn’t leave himself too much to do, he will be coming home strongly. (2) I LOVE HANSEN made all to land his maiden win over 1200M on September 16^th. He comes up in class and in trip here but draws well and can measure up. (7) GREAT ONE and (6) CHEONMA HASEO are others who can enter the calculations.

September concludes with an 8-race Friday card at Busan which runs from 12:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with eight of the twelve racing for the first time. As so often though we side with experience and (5) HONOR LORD, who having won a July trial, ran well for 4^th on debut in a decent time over this distance on August 28^th. He should have come on for the run and won’t need to improve much to win here. (10) TWOTWO FLYING has raced twice already, recording a 5^th and a 4^th, both on pace and both in good times. She draws a touch wide here but can go close again. As for the first-timers, (2) NICHOLAS G. performed fairly in his trial, stopping the clock in a respectable time and can go well first up here while (4) HANEUL SEUNGNI was an on-pace 2^nd in his heat and also looks capable of a bold showing. Returning to experience, (11) YEONSEUNG GO can perhaps improve on her debut showing.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Maiden fillies here and (11) GEUMA SMARTY looks the one to beat. She has raced twice do far, registering a 4^th and a 3^rd at 1300M and 1400M, the latter in a good time. Her style so far has been to settle back and run on so the draw shouldn’t be a problem and with some natural improvement here, she can win. (10) GLOBAL CATCHER improved significantly to run 2^nd at odds in excess of 60/1 over this distance on August 28^th. Although she already had a 3^rd to her name, this was a much better performance and if she can produce more of the same, she can be in this too. (1) NAREUCAT has put in some respectable efforts at this distance and from a good gate today looks a solid placing chance. (5) WONDERFUL OCEAN and (3) TITAN K among others who can enter the calculations.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(1) VICTOR BASIUM will be hot favourite to strike here having returned from ten months out on September 16^th to run an on pace 3^rd over this distance in a time faster than any of today’s rivals have achieved. He should have benefitted from that run and will take some beating here. (5) UNJU SSAGSSEULI beat three of these on her way to 3^rd place over this distance in an all-filly maiden on September 2^nd. That was a big improvement from her debut and a similar run will put her in the finish again here. (7) USEUNG YEOGEOL finished 7^th in that same race but had previously shown ability with a 4^th and a 3^rd over this distance. An apprentice keeps her carried weight very low and she could go close here. (6) RELEASE EDITION and (9) URI JOEUNNAL are others who should be in at least the placing frame.

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

(6) CHOICE RUN ran out a comfortable winner having made all at start number two on August 28^th, after running 3^rd on debut. He comes up in class and in trip here but neither should be an issue and he is favoured to win again. (4) WORLD FLOWER is yet to win in nineteen attempts but has plenty of near-misses, including 2^nd and 3^rd in her latest two, both in good times over this distance. She likes to settle back and run on and she can pass plenty in the latter stages here. (1) JUMAL BOBAE ran 5^th in Busan’s Classic Trial back in the Spring and looks to be coming back into form with a good 2^nd place at class and distance last time out. He comes up in the weights but that’s balanced by a nice draw and he can be competitive. (2) BLUE CARSON and (10) SINUI JEONSA are others in the mix.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million