The main even this weekend is the Jeju Governor’s Cup at Seoul on Sunday where Busan mare Indian Star will bid to complete a hat-trick of victories in the Group 3 test. Before that though there is Friday action on the South-Coast with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00: 

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(10) FASHION WANG hasn’t been far away in recent efforts and led for much of the way around three weeks ago at this distance before ultimately finishing 3^rd. Despite the wide draw she should lead again and can provide jockey Kim Hye Sun a first winner since her return form a lengthy injury absence. (7) BAENGNICHONG was 6^th that day and can improve here. The other contenders all have something of the unknown about them. (2) GOLDEN REX has struggled for fitness in his latest two but has been working consistently in the lead up to this and should go better. (3) GIPPEUM DAY returns from seven months out and is under the care of a new trainer. There are no clues from any recent trials but a top jockey is booked and she may go well. (5) TAEYANGUI CHUKJE was a good 2^nd on debut behind the excellent Sun Day all the way back in March. He disappointed in his return three months later and comes in here after a further four months off.

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

Juvenile maidens here with just four of the twelve having raced before. (1) CHEONNYEONUIJILJU has raced twice, finishing a much-improved 2^nd at this distance on September 28^th, beating a length and a half by a good-looking winner in a fast time. He started slowly that day but ran on very well and should have too much here. Of the others with experience, (2) GOLDEN SHARP and (6) KARIN both finished 5^th on their respective debuts and both will be expected to improve today. Of the first-time starters, the pick in trials was (7) GOOD DANCER. The Bart Rice-trained colt went through a couple of heats the latest of which was alongside some very experienced racehorses and he didn’t look out of place. A watching brief is advised with the rest of them although (4) DOCTOR THUNDER seemed to know what she was doing and could go well first-up. Watch the market for any clues.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(9) YEONGSEONG ACE ran 2^nd on debut over this distance on September 7^th and while he was seven-lengths back behind a good winner, he showed enough to suggest that he has potential and can win here. (4) GIDAEHAE also ran 2^nd on debut back in August. She was stepped up to 1300M for her second start five weeks ago when she finished 6^th, just under a length behind (5) GOLD TICKET who was himself making his second career start. Both should be in the hunt here with Gidaehae slightly favoured back at this trip. (3) RACING GALLOPER was 3^rd behind Gidaehae in that race back in August. He returns following nine weeks off and the trainer/jockey combination will attract plenty. There are two debut-makers and of the pair, (7) JOY OF LUCK looks to have the most chance of making an immediate impact.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

She’s yet to score in eight but (3) ROCK HARD QUEEN ran 4^th in a significantly better race than this over this distance three weeks ago and she looks very much the one to beat here, probably looking to lead from gate to wire. She faces a very modest set of rivals, the best of which looks to be (10) GOLD TREE who ran a creditable 5^th aa month ago on what was just his second career start and first at this distance. (4) WANBONG is the only one of the ten who has a top three finish to his name so far and he is third best here. Among the others we are looking for ones with the potential to improve. (1) HOT GIRL and (5) CAPTAIN COOK come closest to fitting the bill.

Race 5: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Both (2) YEOWANGUI GWIHWAN and (9) ARCADIA step up in class following their respective maiden wins over this distance. Both look well-equipped to cope at this level with Arcadia slightly favoured among the pair at this stage. However, they will both need to improve if they are to beat the likely favourite. That’s (4) USEUNG TICKET, who got his own maiden win in July before running a distant 2^nd to Fashion Of Marine on his first try at this level in August at 1200M. He stepped down to this trip fir his latest start three weeks ago and while he only managed 6^th, it was a stronger race than this and he is well worth another chance. (3) NOPIGOM NAREUSYA is another who it might be worth taking another look at, as she drops back in trip for the first time in a long time. (7) REALLY ONE was longest shot on the board when running a 4^th of 12 at this distance last month (more…)

There are 11 Friday races at Busan from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

It’s Friday. It’s Busan

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(9) YEONGSEONG STAR was a close 3^rd on debut on September 7^th, leading for much of the race and she’ll be firm favourite to get her maiden win here. She should get to the front straight from the gate and lead all the way. Having debuted all the way back last October, (5) MORNING BRAVO returned to run a good 2^nd at the end of August and along with (3) POWER AMAZING, who has run 3^rd and 5^th in two outings to date, look to be the main dangers to the favourite. (2) GRADE QUEEN and (6) TONGIL HANGUK are others who have hinted at some ability and can improve.

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

All twelve of these juveniles are racing for the very first time. Thomas Gillespie’s (6) SILLAUI MISO was the most expensive of these ad was the only one to win her trial, prevailing with an all the way effort in a heat in early September. She has solid claims for an in-form stable. Emerging from the same trial, (1) RAON ARES looks to have plenty of potential too. He looked competent in that heat running an unhurried 2^nd and is likely to be joining Sillaui Miso on the early pace here. (11) TANGENT also showed some ability in trials, running 2^nd in a well-run heat three weeks ago. Further back in that one but doing nothing wrong was (4) LUCKY NUMBER ONE who, coming from Kim Young Kwan’s stable, is bound to be backed. (12) PRECEDE trialed up alongside some very experienced racehorses and didn’t look out of place and he too can go well first-up.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(8) SMART BANK came desperately close to getting his maiden win three weeks ago, just going down by a neck at this distance. That continued an encouraging run of recent form and he could well go one better today. (5) SPERO SPERA and (9) SONGAK MYEONGJANG both enter off the back of positive efforts and both should be challenging for at least places here. (2) EL DRAGON returns from a five-month lay-off and trialed up well in mid-September. He’ll be expected to be on the early speed along with (6) WILD CASH, who has two 3^rd places among her latest three outings and can look to at least match those today.

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

Tricky contest here but (8) CHEONNYEONUI ACHIM was a class and distance winner on September 7^th with a couple of these well back behind him and though he carries an additional 3.5kg today, he’s the one they’ll need to beat again. (2) BUGYEONG BOLT enters off the back of a pair of solid 2^nd place finishes at 1200M. He’s been runner-up at this distance in the past and can get close today. (6) EURO SHINHWA has a 3^rd and a 2^nd in two starts at this level since getting his maiden win back in June and should be a danger also. (12) YEONGGWANGUI SIDAE is up in class having registered her maiden win with an all the way score over this distance three weeks ago. While she’ll need to overcome the widest draw today, she looks to have the potential for more.

Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(2) RED CLOUD returns to racing for the first time since early March. He raced six times prior to the layoff, finishing 2^nd in no fewer than five of them. He looked good winning a trial three weeks ago and this could be his day on what will be his first try at a mile. There’s a bit of a “red” theme about this race. (8) BIG RED IJI ran a good 2^nd at this distance on September 9^th and should be the main danger. He’ll be ridden patiently and (more…)

After the one week break racing returns to Korea this weekend. Things get underway at Busan on Friday with an eleven-race card from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(8) WONDERFUL LION has shown promise across two starts today and while he was beaten into 2^nd when favourite three weeks ago, I well worth another chance here. He’ll be on pace from the start and can lead all the way.  (4) FASHION WANG and (1) DAY STAR came home 4^th and 5^th respectively over this distance on the last day of August. Both should be competitive here with Fashion Wang, who also has a 2^nd place to her name, likely to be the main threat. (2) BAENGNICHONG has hinted at ability and drops back in trip and into contention here while (5) B.K. THUNDER is another who can improve.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(2) TIARA WINNER went well in 2^nd on debut back in July and while she only managed 6^th on her return in August, the margins weren’t big and with a much better draw today, she could be the one they need to beat. (8) TRUE KING ran a solid 4^th on debut six weeks ago and returns here with every chance of building on it. He was a long way behind a very good winner that day but should be much closer this time. (5) ULSAN JANGGUN was an improved 5^th in that same race and he too can continue his development here. (9) LUCKY ADELE raced twice as a three-year-old and registered a 3^rd place. He returns here fifty-seven weeks after his last start having trailed up well in August and he is the wildcard here. (1) MUJEOK BEAT best of the rest.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

This is a competitive race and both (3) TROPHY COLLECTOR and (4) HOPEFUL SIMON enter having run 3^rd on their respective latest starts on what for both was their third career appearance. Both have performed at this distance before and look to have more to offer with Hopeful Simon, who was returning from five months off, looking the more likely to progress at this stage. (9) MARU JJANG was just beaten a neck by Trophy Collector at this distance on August 31^st. That was an improvement on her first two efforts and she can continue her development today. Hopeful Simon’s stablemate (1) KEEP GOING has now managed two 4^th place finishes from four outings to date and can at least match here. (10) ADELEUI SIN has only raced once and that was a full nine months ago but he finished ahead of Hopeful Simon in an August trial and can go well first-up today.

Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(1) SILENT PARK came within three-quarters of a length on getting his maiden win on his fifth outing three weeks ago. He came from well off the pace that day and may benefit from stretching out to a mile for the first time here. The main danger is (10) CHALLANHAN MISO. He’s shown progress across three starts so far and also tries the distance for the first time. (4) JISAN OREUM beat three of these on his way to 3^rd place at long odds over 1300M on August 24^th and can back up that from here. (6) PEACE RIDER was 5^th that day and went on to run 6^th behind Silent Park earlier this month and should be a factor too. (8) TEXAS GONGJU looks best of the rest.

Race 5: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

This maiden in restricted to juveniles and eight of them make their racecourse debuts today. (4) AMAZON YEOGEOL, one of those first-timers, is the likely favourite. She (more…)

Next weekend will be dark in racing terms due to the Chuseok – or Korean Thanksgiving – holidays so this weekend’s cards are the last for a fortnight in Korea. The feature race if the weekend is the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup at Seoul on Sunday which will see Special Stone looking to repeat her Korean Oaks victory against a number of the filles she beat in the Classic at Busan in July. First up though is a Friday card at Busan with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00.

It’s Friday. It’s Busan.

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(8) NAEGA DAESE was a much improved 2^nd over 1200M on what was her fourth start in July 27^th and with only a bit more progress today, she can win this. (1) TOJONG CHAMP too comes in having run 2^nd, her best so far, over this distance three weeks ago. She doesn’t have a fast start on her but can grind plenty down late on in the race. (5) INTERCEPTOR was a touch disappointing when well-backed on his latest start in July. That followed a couple of promising runs and after nine weeks off he is worth another chance today. (2) CHOEGANG SEONBONG and (4) SMART BANK look best of the rest.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

He missed out by a length last time four weeks ago when running 2^nd on what was his third career start and (1) BUGYEONG STORY should come out of gate 1 on the lead and with every chance of going all the way this time. (2) URANUS J was 6^th behind Bugyeong Story in that race on what was his debut. He was sent off as favourite having trialed well and while the result wasn’t great, he can get another chance today. (3) TONGIL HANGUK has shown some promise in running 3^rd and 5^th in his two outings so far. Both of them have been at 1200M and he’s been on the early pace only to weaken so he looks an interesting prospect dropped back to the minimum distance here. (5) ROYAL RIVER and (8) WANBONG are the others who look most likely to improve.

 Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

This race is restricted to maiden fillies and among the nine starters, five have raced before. Among those with prior experience, only (7) ARCADIA has done anything of note when finishing not far away at all in 4^th over this distance a month ago. She should be close to the pace here and has a chance. A couple of first-time starters look like being the main dangers. (3) GEUMA GHOST ran 3^rd in her trial last month and looked competent in the process. She led for much of it and will be expected to try to lead here. (8) TONGIL GIPPEUM held her own in a very quick heat, and if she runs in a similar fashion today, she shouldn’t be far away at all. (2) B.K. GAMBOL and (5) PHOENIX QUEEN are next best.

 Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

 (8) FLASHY MISS was sent off favourite for her latest start over 1200M on July 27^th. She ran poorly, looking unsettled around the turn and then offering nothing in the straight. Her form going into that race was strong, however, and dropped back to 1000M today, she looks again the one they’ll need to beat. (6) B.K. MARINE was a class and distance winner by a nose on August 17^th and while she carries an additional 3.5kg here, a repeat is not impossible. (2) THUNDER STRUCK is capable at this class and shouldn’t be too far away while (7) FELICE too comes in with recent form reading positively and is in with at least a placing chance. (3) ISIDAE YEONGGWANG isn’t as bad as his latest couple of outings suggests and he too can improve here. 

 Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

This race is restricted to juvenile maidens. Four of the eight have race before and two of them raced together when (2) TOUGH GREEN beat (6) GLITTER by a length as the pair finished 2^nd and 3^rd over 1000M on what for both of them was a second career start on August 5^th. They’re the picks to fight it out for top honours this time and with the slight step up in trip in mind, Glitter is favoured to prevail. Of the other two who have raced before, (3) DAEJI CHAMP looks the most likely to improve while among the debut-makers, (1) DOCTOR CHIC, a good trial winner back in July, looks most promising at this stage. (4) MUJEOK SPEED trialed at the beginning of this month and looked sharp too.

 Race 6: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Another set of juvenile maidens although this time all but two have raced before. Plenty of them have shown promise as well with both (3) MIGHTY POWER and (5) GIDAEHAE recording runner-up finishes on their respective debuts, both of them on August 17^th. (1) GOLD TICKET and (4) K PLUS WON came home 3^rd and 4^th with less than a length between them when they debuted a month ago at this distance and both can be in the hunt to improve here, however, the one they need to beat may just be (7) (more…)

It is international weekend with the Keeneland Korea Cup & Sprint being run at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday. Before that though, things get underway with a 10-race card at Busan on Friday. Evening racing for the year is over so we’re back to a daytime schedule with with the 1st race at 11:30 and the last at 18:00.

Jo In Kwen hasn’t gone to Seoul and could be the jockey to follow at Busan

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(8) DREAM CAT ran a good 2^nd over the distance, her best showing in three outings in what’s been an interrupted career to date. She led until the closing stages and handily beat two of the others who go here and can be out on pace once more today, this time leading all the way. (3) HARVEST GOLD also comes in off 2^nd place last time on August 5^th and looks to have more scope for development. (9) CAR TWO was favourite for that race having debuted very encouragingly a month earlier and while she weakened disappointingly, can be given another chance here. (6) CHEONJI KINGS was also favourite for his latest outing just two weeks ago. He was beaten five-lengths by a good winner but beat a couple of his rivals here and can go close again. (2) HOPEFUL SIMON returns from four months off and trialed up nicely two weeks ago.

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

Juvenile maidens here and only one of the seven has raced before. That’s (1) NAEGA JJANG and she’s finished last both times. The latest of those was at the end of July so we’ll give her a clean slate today but even so, we will favour the newcomers. Fastest in trials by some margin was (3) YEONGSEONG ACE, who showed prominently in his heat and looks set to start as favourite. (7) LION SUN also showed some ability in his trial and the stable will tempt plenty. (2) MAJOR PUNCH and (5) RAPIDO MAN too did nothing wrong in their respective heats and could go well first up.

Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Another set of maiden juveniles, this time with four of the eight having raced before. A couple of them showed some promise too and (1) WONDERFUL LION, a close 5^th on debut on August 8^th in what was a well-run race is favoured to build on that and win today. (3) GWONTOJUNGLAE was an also-ran on debut in that very same race but didn’t do too much wrong and will be expected to improve today. (6) ETERNAL TRON was last on his second career starts three weeks ago but ran better on debut and could be better here. The first-time starters are a little less attractive here than in the previous race but (2) YEONGSEONG STAR and (7) WONDERFUL TALE both trialed reasonably well and can be considered.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(4) GIRL CRUSH didn’t do much on debut back in February but then didn’t reappear until last month when she was a much improved 3^rd over 1200M. She steps slightly up in trip again and could well get an uncontested lead here. If she does, she may be hard to beat. (3) SILENT PARK hasn’t been too far away in any of his four outings to date and can challenge here while his stablemate (7) BRIAN PARK was 5^th on debut last month, beaten by Girl Crush, and can build on that here. (8) SONGAK MYEONGJANG has shown some promise in two starts since returning from six months off and steps back up in trip today. (2) GURI TOWER and (5) PEACE RIDER enter having finished 4^th and 5^th respectively over this distance two weeks ago and both can be in the placing hunt here.

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

(1) JOYFUL MEMORY remains a maiden after eleven attempts but comes in off the back of a 2^nd and a 4^th, the latter of which on August 4^th was at this distance and today may well be her day. She’ll settle just behind the early speed and can be strong late on. (2) NOPIGOM NAREUSYA was 5^th and just half a length back behind Joyful Memory in that August 4^th race and can get close again. (9) AREUMDAUN OECHIM registered a somewhat surprising 2^nd place over 1200M three weeks ago, beating three of these in the process. That was a big uptick in form and a repeat can’t be ruled out although that day’s 3^rd place-getter (5) COOL MINT, just a nose back, seems a more credible challenger. (4) CHEONNYEONUI ACHIM has been no worse than 4^th across four starts so far and the slight step up in trip today may be what he needs. (10) BYEOL GEURIDA looks best of the rest.

Race 6: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(8) WINNER CINDY got her maiden win over 1200M in July before running 3^rd at this distance on her first try at this level on August 17^th. She’s a front-runner and if she can overcome the wide draw to get on speed, she can win. (2) NICE HUMOR and (4) DANCING BLAZE were both well back behind Winner Cindy in that August 17^th race. Both are better than that though and in this company will be expected to improve. The hugely experienced (5) KOREA HUNTER also had a bad day at the office last time out but this is the kind of race he will be expected to find at least the minor money in. (6) OKDAN YEOGEOL returns from eight months out and trialed up competently enough in August. He had talent before the layoff and should be competitive here as should the still winless but up in class (7) OS HILL.

Race 7: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) WIDAEHAN BISANG won her first two starts back in July to get rapidly promoted two classes. She went through a trial three weeks ago in impressive fashion and she could maintain her unbeaten record here on what is her first try at this distance. It won’t be easy though. She’ll be joined on the early speed by (2) CHANG GONG, a very sharp (more…)

It’s the final Friday of afternoon/evening racing at Busan before we switch back to a daytime schedule next week and there is a 10-race card from 14:30 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

Last time we’ll need the lights at Busan for a few weeks

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

She’s been 4^th in both starts to date and Kim Young Kwan’s (3) QUEEN’S FANTASY is favoured to make the breakthrough today. She drops back to 1000M and is well-drawn to get on pace early and lead all the way. (7) FASHION WANG finished 6^th behind Queen’s Fantasy on her last start. She has a 2^nd place to her name at this distance as well and should be one of the biggest dangers. (1) BICHUI HAENGJIN and (5) HUNTER PARK have also offered glimpses of talent and can be considered for at least the places as well. There is one debut-maker. (4) FOX COLORING trailed up competently if unspectacularly at the beginning of this month and may have a say in things first-up.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens only here and precisely half of the field will make their racecourse debuts. However, plenty of the half with experience already have shown promise and they’re likely to supply the favourites. (4) YEONGGWANGUI FIGHT has raced twice, running 2^nd on debut and then 3^rd on reappearance just two weeks ago. He’s run on well on both occasions and the step up in trip for the first time may suit. (5) WONDERFUL IJI was a good 2^nd on debut at the beginning of July. She bled in training causing her to be scratched from a planned second start four weeks ago and she should be a threat here and another who may well appreciate the additional distance. (1) TRUE WARRIOR and (7) POWER AMAZING too made very encouraging debuts while (6) TROPHY COLLECTOR improved into 4^th on his second attempt – beaten by Yeonggwangui Fight – in July. Accordingly, the first-time starters have it all to do with (9) HAPPY GATE perhaps looking the pick among them at this stage.

Race 3: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

A front-running performance saw (4) THUNDER ALLEY run out a narrow winner at class and distance on August 4^th. It had been coming as well with the gelding getting progressively closer in the races leading up to that maiden win and he can score again here. (3) BAEDARI MUNNING outperformed expectations to run a close 3^rd that day and he can be a danger again although there are a number of others who can push the favorite close too. (1) DIAMOND KING returned from six months out to record his maiden win at this distance on August 5^th and while up in class today, should be competitive. (8) MUCHO remains winless but is up in class having been consistently close behind some promising horses and he too shouldn’t be out of his depth at this level. (7) EURO SHINHWA another who should be in the hunt, dropping back in trip after a 3^rd place over 1200M last time out.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

A small field of fillies only and (2) KOREAN QUEEN, just beaten a neck into 2^nd place on her latest start, is the one to beat. She’s had seven weeks off since being denied by Vicar Blade on what was her first try at this distance and she can get it right today. (6) DARK TEMPLAR will be expected to set the pace and is capable of staying on to challenge while (1) KEEP GOING had a hard time at a mile last start but should be happier back down in distance today. (4) HUIMANGUI NORAE remains a maiden after twenty-eight attempts but this is the kind of race she can find the money in.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(6) CHALLANHAN MISO has shown good promise over two starts so far, registering a 4^th and a 3^rd and it shouldn’t take much more improvement for him to come out on top here. He’ll settle just behind the early lead and should have too much in the latter part of the (more…)