There has been quite a bit of rain across the peninsula over the past 24 hours including at Busan which is where Friday’s racing takes place. There are 9 races from 11:30 to 18:00:

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

(7) PAGEUKCHEON has finished 4^th in both starts so far. Bart Rice’s colt should be on speed from the gate and is favoured to make his breakthrough today. (11) CHOEGANG WINNER ran an improved 3^rd last start and while he has drawn wide can continue to make progress today. (1) NEOLBEUN GOEUL raced three times without distinction last year but returns following six months off having looked a different horse when winning a trial in a fast time at the end of April. He’ll be expected to go well first-up here. (5) LUCKY TOGETHER and (10) ARA MYUNGMA are others who can improve in a weak race.

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

After an inauspicious debut at the end of last year, (8) BARAMGWA GUREUM has run well in three subsequent outings, all at this trip. He was a touch disappointing when finishing 5^th as favourite last time out but looks worth another chance here. (10) SPERO SPERA was the longest shot on the board that day but managed to finish 4^th, half a length in front of Baramgwa Gureum. He’ll warrant more respect today. (9) FUNKY struggled at 1300M last start but should be better dropped back to the minimum today. Debut-makers (1) THE SUN OF GOD and (2) FOREVER RUNNER did nothing wrong in trials and can be competitive here. Watch the market with both.

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

(5) LEGACY returned after over a year out to run 3^rd at this distance on May 17^th. He was favourite that day but should have come on for the run and should be sent off at the top of the market here too. He should lead all the way. (1) FINAL WIND has a 2^nd place to his name at this trip and is set to be one of the principal dangers while (12) ACRA improved last start and looks ready to try this extended trip once more. (10) HIDDEN BOY steps back in distance after a solid showing over a mile last start and should be in at least placing contention while (6) NOVELLA races for the first time since last November and showed some promise over the course of a couple of recent trials.

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

Three-year-old maidens only here. (11) HUSE JEWANG is the slight pick. He’s shown steady – if somewhat sedate – progress across three outings so far and could be the one to step up here. Plenty of other candidates too. (9) TIZ JOYFUL was an improved 4^th over 1000M in decent company last time out, running on well, and should appreciate the step up in trip today. (4) GEUMGANG CHILBO ran poorly last start in April but has since been through two trials in eye-catching fashion and enters consideration. (3) TIZBE and (7) CHARGE POWER are others in the hunt.

Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) LUCKY NUMBER ONE is up in class having made all to secure her second career win over a mile two weeks ago. Intriguingly she’s dropped all the way back to the minimum distance today but she’s a front-runner who can get forward from the inside and can win again. (3) HALLA HWANGHU also steps up in class following an eye-catching five-length win over this distance on May 10^th and should be firmly in the hunt again. (7) LUCKY ADELE was 2^nd that day and comes u in grade as well with the potential to be competitive. Continuing the theme of those taking on class 4 company for the first time, (5) BLACK SHIELD returned from nine months off in March to make all and win over 1200M and looks very nicely in here. As for those with experience of this level, (2) BUGYEONG STORY looks the best of them.

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

(5) HANSEN DREAM was a battling winner over this distance on debut on May 3^rd. He’s up in class today but is nicely drawn to get on speed from the start and could win again. The main danger is (4) KAHEKILI. She led all the way to win by six-lengths on what was (more…)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:30 to 18:00. With two big Stakes races at Seoul on Sunday in the shape of the SBS Sports Sprint and the Ttukseom Cup, lots of jockeys are missing from Busan this weekend so Seo Seung-un looks set to be the man to follow down South on both Friday and Sunday:

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

Tricky maiden for three-year-olds to kick things off with. (3) GIJEOGUI JILJU weakened late on debut over 1300M just two weeks ago. She returns quickly here and dropped back in trip should go much better today. (11) WONDERFUL TALE raced twice last autumn showing promise with a 4^th and a 3^rd. She came through a trial in good order at the beginning of this month and should go well first-up here. (12) STOLEN BEAUTY was an improved 4^th on her second outing at this trip three weeks ago and can continue to make progress today. There are four first-time starters and a couple look to have potential. (4) USEUNGUI PARANGSAE and (9) MISS UP both went well in trials and are likely to have backers here – watch the market for clues with both.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

More three-year-old maidens. (9) ETERNAL TRON has had a stop start career so far but is to outings into his current campaign and comes in having run a good 2^nd over a mile at the beginning of this month. Back down in tip today, he’s likely to be on pace early and looks ready to make his breakthrough. (3) TWO TWO WAY has been inconsistent across her seven attempts so far but comes in off a useful 3^rd place over 1000M three weeks ago and can continue to make progress here while (5) TRUE SIGNATURE was an improved 3^rd at this trip on April 26^th and can go well again. (8) SPICE ROCK has been well supported in the market in all five of her races so far. She’s yet to go any better than 3rd but should be at least matching that here. (11) RAON FLYING did nothing much wrong on debut on May 3^rd and is another in at least the placing hunt.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Yet more three-year-old maidens. (5) ROYAL SOLDIER did well on debut in early April, finishing 4^th and running through the line well over 1000M. He steps up in trip today following eight weeks off and it could well suit. (6) MILLION BEAT also returns for the first time since the start of April. She ran an improved 3^rd that day and has since been back to trial, coming through that well two weeks ago. She’s up in trip for the first time and has a chance. (9) GRAND YEONGUNG comes in off the back of two solid performances at 1000M and steps back up to this trip with cause for confidence. (1) TOHAM STAR, a good 4^th on debut a month ago, and (10) PERDIDO ROCKET, are others in the hunt.

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

A winner of two from five so far, (10) BROWN PIE is up in class after a good win on her first try at this distance at the beginning of this month. She looks to have plenty of potential for more improvement and can win again here. (7) OCEAN PHOENIX has raced at this class five times and has only once finished outside the top three. Seo Seung-un rides her for the first time and she should be close again. (11) K PLUS WON is better than recent results suggest with them having been in tough company. Things looks more amenable today and he can improve. (2) STAR LINE Is another who can be competitive in this company while the wildcard is (12) SUPER GOLD. He returns to action for the first time since January and looked sharp in a trial at the end of last month.

Race 5: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Back to maidens here and a small field going over a mile. (7) EL DRAGON was 3^rd at this distance on her return from almost six months off four weeks ago. She already has a runner-up finish at this distance and is favoured to make her breakthrough here.  (5) DAEHEUNG SIDAE has been slowly figuring things out and his 3^rd place last start suggests he’s finally starting to get it. He steps up to the mile for the first time and it may well suit. (4) TWO TWO HAMMER ran well for a class and distance 3^rd last start three weeks ago and should be aiming to at least match that here. (1) DOCTOR MIMI and (3) BAENGNYEON JIJON are others with potential to improve.

Race 6: Class 5 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(8) MAGIC FLYING has raced well in three attempts at this class since getting his maiden win in February. His latest two tries have been at this distance ending in 3^rd and 4^th and he looks the one to beat here. (10) BOBAE DREAM also comes in looking in good shape and while a previous attempt at this distance didn’t go well, she looks like being one of (more…)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Note that a number of Busan jockeys are away in Seoul in advance of Sunday’s YTN Cup. Here are the previews:

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

(7) TITLE CODE has shown promise across four starts so far and comes in following two creditable showings in better company than this, both at today’s distance. From gate 7 he should be on pace early and he’s favoured to win here. (2) ECTON SMILE was behind Title Code last time but has previously beaten a few of these and should be looking for a career-best finish here as should (5) DARK TEMPLAR, who steps back up in trip after an encouraging spin around five-furlongs just two weeks ago, running on well, and should go close here. (1) GOLDEN MANE PARIS and (4) SUN MOUNTAIN are others with the potential to improve.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(2) PERFECT ACE retired from almost nine months out to run a dead-heated 3^rd at this distance on March 29^th. He’s well drawn to get on pace from the start and should be the one to beat here. (10) TAMNA LIST has been no worse than 4^th in three outings so far and looks to have scope for more improvement here. (9) MORNING TAEYANG did nothing wrong when 5^th in debut at a mile three weeks ago and can come on for that run back in trip today. (4) CHOEGANG CLEAR hinted at some improvement last start and can maintain that momentum today while (5) DANDI QUEEN struggled at a mile last start but was 3^rd on her most recent effort at this distance and can be in the hunt today.

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

(6) USEUNG TICKET has been knocking at the door in recent efforts and comes in following a useful 5^th in better company than this a month ago. A second win looks set to arrive sooner or later, and it could be here. This is a competitive race though. (1) EURO SHINHWA also comes in off the back off some positive recent form and was a very close at hand 3^rd last time out. He’ll be on pace from the start and is a big danger. So too is (4) HUNTER PARK. He’s still a maiden but drops back in trip following a solid effort over 1200M three weeks ago and while he’s not always the quickest off the mark, should be in contention here. (3) REALLY ONE and (7) GOP DDA are others in the frame.

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

(6) RAON TOWN has a 2^nd and a 3^rd from just two starts so far, the latter of which was at this distance on April 26^th with a couple of these behind him. He’ll most likely be close to the pace from the start here and is the one to beat. (3) ROYAL TICKET was 4^th behind Raon Town in that race a month ago and while he has a couple of lengths to find, that continued a run of good form at this distance and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise were he to improve. (1) BORNE MATTA was 5^th that day and while he has plenty to find on the other two, he can still beat plenty once more. (2) GRAND JILJU steps back up in trip following two positive showings at 1300M and can be considered, likely after a fast start. (5) YEONGWON CHAMP looks best of the rest.

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

(7) LUCKY NUMBER ONE was just beaten a head at class and distance on May 5^th having led for much of the way around. He was favourite that day but should be on pace again and can be given another chance to win. (3) TORNADO KING was 3^rd in that race, just over a length in arrears and he looks set to be the principal threat. He remains a maiden but has been getting closer and can close late here. The one-paced (5) BULMYEORUIMARIPGAN finally got his maiden win at the 23^rd time of asking last start. His reward is an additional 3kg on his back but while he might not win again, he’ll run on as usual and can pass plenty late. (1) DAEROUI KKUM and (12) GIPPEUM DAY are others in at least the placing hunt.

Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) EURO GONGJU led for much of the way around on her latest start, ultimately finishing a close at hand 5^th. That was a good race and should stand her in good stead for this slightly softer affair. From the inside gate, she can sit handy and finish strongly. (9) (more…)

After last week’s Derby in Seoul, attention switches to the South Coast and the fillies as the 2019 Korean Oaks takes place at Busan Racecourse this Sunday. And it’s at Busan where the weekend’s action gets underway with 9 races on Friday running from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Former Busan Champion Jockey Kim Yong Geun is one of a number of Seoul-based riders in town for this Sunday’s Oaks (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(1) MAJOR PUNCH debuted all the way back last September but had a number of setbacks before finally returning three weeks ago and running 2^nd over 1000M. She’s up in trip today and will be one of many looking to get on pace early but she should have too much for this field. (8) TOHAM IMPACT ran 3^rd behind Major Punch last time and is set to be a danger again while (4) TIZBE ran well for 4^th on debut a month ago, beating a couple of these in the process and can build on it here. (9) TWO TWO SIMON and first-time starter (11) GIJEOGUI JILJU are others who should be in the hunt.

Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(5) ULTRA POWER is up in class following a two-length score at this distance to secure his maiden win on what was his fourth career start on April 19^th. He made all that day and is nicely drawn to get to the lead again with potential for another win. Just shy of a year separated (12) JEONGUIUI GITBAL’s first and second career starts. He came back with a flourish though, registering a five-length victory over this distance on April 12^th. He came out of the same wide gate that day and while this is tougher, a repeat isn’t impossible. (2) GAMDONGUI SUNGAN remains a maiden but joins the other two up in class following a couple of near-misses and should be competitive at this level. Of those who have class 5 experience already, (3) YEOWANGUI TANSAENG and (9) NORMAL CLASSIC look the most capable.

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens here with only five of the fourteen having raced before. Three of those five did reasonably well so we’ll cover them first. (7) YESULUI GYEUNGJI was perhaps the most impressive, running a useful 3^rd in a competitive race at this distance on April 19^th. HE can have learned from that and can push on here. (10) PAGEUKCHEON too did nothing wrong when 4^th on his own debut back in January and while he has had one or two setbacks since, returns here in good shape and can go well. (14) VEGA THUNDER came from off the pace to run 2^nd at the beginning of April. She was scratched from a scheduled run two weeks ago when she refused to load into the gate but has since passed her stalls test and if she jumps, she should be close. As for the first-timers, (8) NANSAN YEOJE and (2) PAI BLADE looked best in trials.

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

(9) YEONGGWANGUI CHEER ran an improved 2^nd last start on April 19^th (beaten by Ultra Power who we saw in race 1) by two-lengths with a couple of these behind him. Under Kim Yong Geun today, he’ll likely look to get forward early and can go one better. (11) CHANGE BACK was 3^rd in that race, three-lengths back and can get closer today although the main danger may ultimately be (2) ZET KING. He was an improved 2^nd on April 12^th and from gate 2, can sit handy and finish strongly. (1) DYNAMIC BOLT and (3) HAENGBOK KOREA are others who should be in at least the placing frame.

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

(12) FUSION PARK has been 3^rd in both his latest two outings at 1300M and a mile. He was a beaten favourite last time, but Bart Rice’s colt looks worth another chance to get things right today. (14) NAEGA SAEGANGJA is another who has found himself beaten when market leader, but he’s ever been worse than 4^th in five outings to date and surely maintains that record today. While the wide draw does him no favours, he has generally run in stiffer company than this and a breakthrough is not impossible. (1) SMART WINNER and (7) USEUNG STORY are both better than their latest respective results suggest and can improve here while (5) LEGACY is the wildcard. His solitary start was more than a year ago, but he looked handy enough when trialling up in April and the jockey/trainer combination will tempt some.

Race 6: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) JOY OF LUCK was last seen running 8^th in the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown. Neither company nor distance seemed to suit that day but back in class 4 and back at 1300M, he should be far happier and looks the one to beat. (10) OCEAN PHOENIX (more…)

This coming Sunday Busan will, for the first time, host Korea’s top juvenile race, the Breeders’ Cup.  Before that, however, there’s a 10-race card on Friday running from 11:30 to 18:00. Trainer Peter Wolsley, who is just three winners short of reaching the 500 landmark, has a couple of decent chances to get closer:

Ace Korea brought up Korean winner number 497 for Peter Wolsley two weeks ago and the Australian trainer can close in on 500 this weekend (Pic: KRA)

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens to start with and seven of the twelve have raced before. The only one of those to have appeared twice prior to today is (7) DAMYANG CHOEGANG and his improved 3^rd place on his second appearance on November 2^nd is enough to make him the top pick here. (2) BARAMEUI KKUM finished three-lengths back that day in 4^th on what was her debut and she looks like being the main danger here, possibly getting closer this time. Both will be aiming to get to the front as soon as possible. (4) DONGBANG WARRIOR was a touch disappointing on debut having been well-backed after winning a trial. He can be given another chance here. (5) ECTON STEALTH and (11) AMAZING WINNER are others with scope to improve on their respective debut efforts. Among the first-time starters, (6) DEEP MIND looks best at this stage.

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

More juvenile maidens with eight of the twelve having racing experience and they do look a bit stronger than those we saw in race 1. The clear top pick is (10) TOHAM ACE, who followed up a 4^th place on debut in September to then run 2^nd, beating a couple of these, on his was to 2^nd over this distance on November 2^nd. He should have too much here. (6) DOCTOR TIZ was a good 2^nd on debut and while he found the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup a bit too stiff at the end of last month, he’ll be expected to go much better in more amenable company today. (8) GEUMGANG CHILBO beat the two top picks for race 1 on what was his second start four weeks ago and has to be given a chance here. (1) TITLE CODE and (4) RAON ARES are others who can step up from promising debuts.

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

(10) HAPPY DRAGON ran a much-improved 2^nd on what was his second career appearance at the start of this month with two of his rivals here back down the track behind him and a similar run today will put him right in the mix. (5) SERENDIPITER was one of those beaten that day but he came back out two weeks ago and ran a good 4^th, just missing out on the places by a head, and can get closer today. (7) MARU JJANG has been knocking at the door for a while now and steps back in trip following a good 3^rd over a mile last time out with claims to go close here. (9) MY TIME ran a career-best 2^nd at this distance three weeks ago and his time may not be too far off. (2) GOLDEN SHARP, with a pair of 5^th place finishes from two tries so far, looks best of the rest.

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

(2) JEONSAUI JILJU has a best of 3^rd place from three starts so far and has finished ahead of a few of these along the way, His 7^th last time was in tougher company than this and with a top jockey aboard here, he can make the breakthrough. (3) MAGIC FLYING has shown some ability across his three outings, all of them at this distance and can be competitive here while (12) SUNDAY GLORY steps up in trip for the first time and it may well suit. (9) EDGE OF WINNER has already raced at this distance and while he has been a little one-paced to date, should have enough to challenge for at least a place. (6) BEAUTIFUL KOREA hinted at ability last time and can progress today too.

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

It’s been almost a year since (2) NINA got her maiden win but since returning from a six-month absence in September she’s run well for 3^rd and 2^nd from two starts and should take some beating in this race which is restricted to fillies and mares. (3) I’M YOUR LEMON is up in class following a battling maiden win on what was just her second outing. That was a decent race for the level though and she’ll surely be a danger here. (9) QUICK MOVE won on debut in July and races for the first time since running 5^th on her first attempt at this level a month later. She’ll be on pace early and can go close. (11) (more…)

The final three days of racing in November in Korea gets underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00:

It’s Friday! It’s Busan!

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

(9) SILLAUI MISO ran a good 3^rd on debut on October 5^th in a fast time over 1000M. She finished only a length and a half behind the winner and stepping up to 1300M today, Thomas Gillespie’s filly can come home on top. (7) MABEOP CHEOREOM also went well on debut just two weeks ago, coming home 2^nd, also at 1000M and should have come on for it. More experienced is (8) MUJEOK BEAT, who may never have finished any better than 3^rd but comes in off the back of two useful efforts at this distance and may get close again. Of the two first-time starters here, (5) SPEED FURY won a trial at the end of October and is likely to be backed to go well first-up.

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

Twelve previous unraced juveniles – eight of them fillies – make their racecourse debuts here. The market will be the best guide and the likely favourite is (3) SPICE ROCK. She’s a half-sister to champion Triple Nine and posted the fastest time of any of these on trials and could provide jockey Francois Herholdt with his first Korean winner. She was actually the quickest by some margin but others who caught the eye in trials include (1) ONE CHANCE, who finished ahead of a couple of others who go here, and (7) DARUI BADA, who did similar. The former is likely to be on pace early along with (12) BAEJJANG, another who ran 2^nd in his heat and could go well first-up here.

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

(2) HANEOLUI BIT ran well for 3^rd on his return from over six months off three weeks ago. He was prominent throughout, ultimately going down by just over two-lengths and should be on pace again with every chance of going all the way this time. (8) SISEON GANGTAL didn’t do a whole lot on debut back in August but has run well twice since then, including 3^rd in a valuable race for breeze-up sale grads at the end of September. He’ll also likely be on the early speed and can go close. (3) CHOEGANG STEALTH and (1) EL DRAGON came home 4^th and 5^th respectively when they raced each other over 1300M on November 4^th and both should be in the frame for at least some minor money today. (12) ACE CRUSH is a stablemate of Haneolui Bit and while she was beaten by Siseon Gangtal in that valuable September race, she ran well for 4^th place last time out at 1000M, beating a couple of the others who go here and can be considered for further improvement today.

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

(2) TORNADO KING returned from eight months off to run 2^nd over this distance on October 26^th, beating three of his rivals here in the process. He can have come on for that run and looks the one they need to beat here. He’ll be on the early speed alongside (1) HOT GIRL, whose previous two efforts at this trip didn’t go particularly well but who may be ready for another try having run a solid 2^nd over 1300M a month ago. (3) KWAEHAN SINGANGJA was 4^th behind Tornado King in that October 26^th race, his second start back following more than three months off and he may get closer today. (7) NOVELLA tackles the distance for the first time following a 5^th and a 4^th in two outings to date. She’s run on well both times and the extended trip looks set to suit. (9) BICHUI HAENGJIN too tries something a bit different today and is the wildcard pick to improve.

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

(3) TANGENT is up in class having secured his maiden win on his second career start on October 26^th. He only got up by a nose but then he was only beaten half a length into 2^nd place on debut. There looks to be more to come from him and he’s well drawn to lead from the start. Five of the others race each other over this class and distance on that very same day. (6) MAJOR THUNDER came out on top, registering victory by a length from (5) B.K. UNO. While Major Thunder carries an extra 3kg this time, he should be involved again and if he gets to the lead, may be difficult to reel-in. (1) SHARP KING races for the first time since late August when he was a solid 3^rd (in a race an out of sorts Major (more…)

There is group race action at Busan this coming Sunday with the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup. the final leg of the Queen’s Tour, but before that things get underway with an 11-race card on Friday from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

It’s Friday. It’s Busan!

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

A step up in trip could well be what (1) RACING GALLOPER needs and that’s what he gets after three decent but unspectacular spins at 1000M. He’s not shown much in the way of speed but has run on each time and can win here. (3) KEEP GOING already has a 2^nd place to her name at this distance in what was perhaps slightly tougher company than this and she has very solid claims too. Those two are the standouts although (6) HUNTER PARK and (10) TONGIL HANGUK have shown some potential and could get close while (2) GIDAEHAE actually managed to finish ahead of Racing Galloper when they faced each other in August. That form was overturned when they next met but an improved showing can’t be ruled out.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(2) GEUMA GHOST was set to be favourite two weeks ago when she dumped her jockey on the ground on the way to the gate. That confidence among punters was caused by her 2^nd place on debut in September and while she’s up in trip here, if she manages to make it to the start, she should be on pace early and can go close. The biggest danger is (4) GIRL CRUSH. She made an inauspicious debut in February and then didn’t return until August. She’s been very solid in three subsequent outings with two 3rds and a 5^th and looks to have a win in her sooner or later. (1) EDGE OF WINNER made a comeback of her own two weeks ago and while she only managed an indifferent 7^th of 12 over 1000M, she most likely needed the run and today’s trip should suit more. (10) GOLDUI INYEON resumes today off a spell and is another who has proven herself competitive at this distance.

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

A full field of juvenile maidens and seven of the twelve are making their racecourse debuts here. Among the ones who have raced before, (3) FOX COLORING is the only one to have raced twice, improving into 4^th on the latest of those and she can be expected to run solidly today. (2) SAND TIGER ran a decent 5^th on debut a month ago and will also be well backed here. Aside from that pair, it’s the first-timers who will be expected to go well. (6) MABEOP CHEOREOM won a trial in a fast time last month and if she brings that kind of form to the races, she’ll go very close. (11) SAMBA RHYTHM wasn’t too far away in the very same heat and she too can go well first up. (8) FUNKY and (9) B.K. SOUND also trialed up together, Funky emerging on top and both of those should be in the hunt for at least some minor money. As ever with this kind of race, keep an eye on the market for clues.

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

It should be hard to recommend a twenty-six race maiden to win any race but this race does look to be (7) DANCING BLAZE’s to lose. She comes in off the back of consecutive runner-up finishes, beating three of these along the way last time and this could well be her day. So it could too for (8) FELICE. He’s also a maiden, in his case after eleven attempts and while he was one of those beaten by Dancing Blaze a month ago he returned just two weeks ago and ran a good 4^th at this distance. He tends to leave himself a bit much to do but he’s not without ability. (3) B.K. MARINE was a winner at this distance in August (beating Dancing Blaze) and should be on pace early. (4) LUCKY ADELE steps up in class after coming close on each of her first four outings and shouldn’t be out of his depth here. (9) REALLY ONE looks best of the rest.

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

(8) K PLUS WON is up in class following a 4^th and a pair of 2^nd place finishes from three starts so far. He looks nicely in here, should get on pace from the starts and can go all the way. (3) JAESAENGMYEONGNI ran a good 2^nd over class and distance on October 19^th, just missing out by a nose. He’ll be ridden patiently again and can be a danger late on. (5) ROYAL CLUB was a touch disappointing last start on October 12^th at 1200M. He entered that race following two very close 2^nd and 3^rd place finishes in August and September and is well worth another chance here. (11) SWEEP MAN actually finished ahead of Royal Club in that October 12^th race and can look to match the 4^th he managed that day.

Race 6: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) SPOT survived an inquiry to keep a narrow victory over 1200M on October 26^th. It was his second win in six starts in what has been a bit of an interrupted career to date. (more…)