It’s Grand Prix Stakes weekend. Full coverage of Sunday’s big race to follow but in the meantime, the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with a ten–race card.

English race cards are here. Notes on races 4-7 below:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35 

Thomas Gillespie’s (7) GOLDEN TROPHY has shown good promise in two starts so far, most recently just beaten a head into 3rd over 1200M on November 18th and he is favoured to break through here. (10) JIBONG YEONGUNG Is yet to score in ten starts but has improved of late, registering his best finish so far of 2nd three weeks ago at this distance and can come close here as can (8) NAVARRA who narrowly beat him the time before. (2) WINNING ALL and (12) STYLISH are among others with claims.

Selection: (7) Golden Trophy (10) Jibong Yeongung (8) Navarra (2) Winning All
Next Best: 12, 4
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 2, 4
Start-200M: 4, 7, 2, 8, 12
200M-Finish: 5, 7, 6, 9, 8 (more…)

Racing gets underway for the weekend at Busan on Friday where there are ten races from 11:30 to 18:00. Six jockeys are in town from Seoul for a Jockey Challenge which will be held across races 7 to 9.

It’s Friday. It’s Busan

English race cards are here. See below for notes on overseas simulcast races 4-10:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35

(5) KING ICE was just beaten a nose last start on November 11th on his first try at this distance and will surely get it right today. He’ll be strong favourite to close from off the pace to win here. Two horses behind him that day are next best. A further length and a half back in 3rd was (1) MAPLE CLASSIC and he’ll be close once more. Setting the pace in that race was (3) HIGH SPEC – he’ll do the same here and can continue to improve. (6) KING CODE and (7) SUPER SONIC look the best of a limited rest.

Selections: (5) King Ice (1) Maple Classic (3) High Spec (7) Super Sonic
Next Best: 6, 4
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 3, 8, 9
Start-200M: 8, 3, 10, 4, 7
200M-Finish: 5, 6, 1, 7, 2

Race 5: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 14:20 

Peter Wolsley celebrated his 400th winner in Korea last weekend and if he didn’t get it earlier today, the Aussie trainer could well get number 401 here. He saddles (7) PERLIN, a handy winner on debut just two weeks who at class and distance who has every chance of making all here. (6) DAMYANG HWANHO led for much of her own debut last month only to be passed late on. She finished 3rd and can continue her development here. There are two debut-makers and of the pair, Thomas Gillespie’s (11) GREAT KING, a $30K purchase from Ocala this June, looks the best having won his trial last month. Jockey booking inspires confidence too. Those three stand-out with (1) VALID EFFORT and (12) WORLD TOWER perhaps most likely among the others.

Selections: (7) Perlin (6) Damyang Hwanho (11) Great King (12) World Tower
Next Best: 1, 8, 3
Rating: 7, 6
Fast Starters: 1, 6, 7, 9
Start-200M: 1, 7, 6, 9, 8
200M-Finish: 7, 6, 12, 10, 2

Race 6: Class 5 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:05

Nice and tricky race this. (6) GALILEE HO was a surprise winner on debut, beating King Ice, who we saw in race 4, by a nose over 1300M. He is up in both class and distance here and could well follow up. He will be steadily away and look to finish strongly. (1) BEAUTIFUL and (5) ROYAL RUBY were both 5th on their respective first tries at this class last time out and may appreciate the extra distance here while (12) SONATILLED is up in class following a nice-looking maiden win at 1300M three weeks ago and can be respected here. Another up in class is (9) BULBIT JEONSA and he’ll likely be setting the early pace along with (3) CAPE MAGIC. The latter is one of only four to have raced at this distance before and he can look to match the 2nd he achieved over it in October.

Selections: (6) Galielee Ho (5) Royal Ruby (1) Beautiful (9) Bulbit Jeonsa
Next Best: 3, 12, 11, 7
Rating: 3=5, 6, 9=12
Fast Starters: 3, 9, 11
Start-200M: 7, 2, 3, 11, 6
200M-Finish: 6, 12, 1, 2, 6

Race 7: Class 4 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 55 Million / 15:50

The first of three “Jockey Challenge” races so six Seoul based jockeys are taking part. It’s not exactly a field of the highest quality so (4) SAEBYEOK BADA has as good a chance as any of getting his maiden victory. (9) PHILIP AND GIRAFFE is yet to win in four but won a trial in double quick time a couple of weeks ago and will be backed here. (11) CHEOGANG YONGSA hasn’t raced since a 2nd place over this distance in August having picked up an injury but looks nicely in here while (5) GIMAKHIN SEONTAEK and (7) SEUNGJEONPILSA are others to consider.

Selections: (4) Saebyeok Bada (11) Choegang Yongsa (9) Philip And Giraffe (7) Seungjeonpilsa
Next Best: 5, 8
Rating: 5, 9=11, 2, 4
Fast Starters: 3, 7, 9, 12
Start-200M: 9, 12, 7, 4, 3
200M-Finish: 5, 10, 4, 11, 2

Race 8: Class 4 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 55 Million / 16:35 

The second race of the jockey challenge brings together a slightly better field and the up in class (10) KKOKDAEGI, a two-length winner over 1300M last month has every chance of overcoming the outside gate to score again. (6) PHANTOM BLADE comes in following a slightly disappointing 4th over the distance just two weeks ago and can make amends here from the early speed while (2) ARIKKARI can improve on 6th in a tough race from a couple of weeks ago. (1) FLAMENCO returns for the first time since June and looked sharp in a trial last month while (5) GANGJA DAERO, also disappointing in that race behind Phantom Blade two weeks ago, gets another chance here.

Selections: (10) Kkokdaegi (6) Phantom Blade (1) Flamenco (2) Arikkari
Next Best: 5, 9
Rating: 8, 1, 5, 3, 6
Fast Starters: 3, 6, 9
Start-200M: 3, 9, 6, 2, 8
200M-Finish: 5, 4, 8, 2, 10

Race 9: Class 3 / 1400M / Allowance / KRW 72 Million / 17:30

The final race of the jockey challenge and (2) GOLD LINE beat (1) TURBO ENERGY and the pair raced 2nd and 3rd over class and distance on October 30th and both have claims here with Gold Line being the pick. (3) GIGA SPEED has been no worse than 3rd in each of his last seven outings and there’s no reason why that run can’t continue here. (6) CHOEGANG ADVENTURE is up in class following back to back wins and while this is a stiffer test, he should be competitive as should (12) JANGGUNEUIHUYE, also up in class following a good win over 1400M last month.

Selections: (2) Gold Line (1) Turbo Energy (3) Giga Speed (12) Jangguneuihuye
Next Best: 6, 8, 4
Rating: 5=8, 11, 1, 4
Fast Starters: 6, 7, 8, 9
Start-200M: 7, 6, 3, 12, 11
200M-Finish: 8, 2, 1, 3, 11
Race 10: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 18:00

Back to the handicaps to finish with and (7) VANJEFE was 2nd on debut three weeks ago but finished well and with an extra half furlong to play with today, looks to be the one to beat. (8) ITSAGAINT WARRIOR was an encouraging 4th on his own debut last month and can build on that here. Those two are imports while locally-bred (2) DAESTAR is up in class having won two of his first four outings at the locally restricted classes 5 & 6. He’s a winner at this distance and will be dangerous here. Among the others, the experienced pair of (9) WONDERFULCHEONGHAE and (11) FIRST MOVER look capable of finding the money in this company.

Selections: (7) Vanjefe (2) Daestar (8) Itsagaint Warrior (9) Wonderfulcheonghae
Next Best: 11, 6
Rating: 6, 11, 1=4, 7
Fast Starters: 7, 9
Start-200M: 7, 3, 9, 5, 2
200M-Finish: 8, 2, 6, 5, 7

This Sunday will see Korea’s Juvenile Champion of 2016 crowned at Seoul Racecourse. There’s plenty going on before that though with 10 races at Busan on Friday from 11:30 to 18:00.

English race cards can be found here. Notes on simulcast races 4-10 are below. With a number of the track’s top jockeys already in Seoul for Sunday’s big race, Seo Seung Un is very much the one to follow on Friday afternoon:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 13:35 

Fillies only in this maiden race and (2) SULTRY HUMOR is favoured to be the one to make the breakthrough having scored 3rd place finishes on both her two starts to date. She beat two of her rivals here last time and can lead from gate to wire. Her main danger is (7) KING STORM. She was 2nd on debut in an admittedly slow race on November 11th and should be close again here. (11) DONGNAM CHOEGO has shown glimpses since coming back from seven months out while the experienced pair of (4) PALMYRA and (5) IGIPPEUM GEUDAERO should be capable of finding minor money in this company.

Selections: (2) Sultry Humor (7) King Storm (11) Dongnam Choego (4) Palmyra
Next Best: 5, 10
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 2, 3
Start-200M: 3, 2, 11, 6, 10
200M-Finish: 5, 6, 11, 12, 10

Race 5: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 14:20 

A winner on debut all the way back in July, (1) ADELE STAR has failed to fire on two subsequent stats, both at 1200M and most recently in Busan’s top juvenile race. Back at 1000M and in more amenable company today, she can return to form. In as good a form as he’s ever been in four-year-old gelding (5) MOMENT. He has three 2nd places among his last four starts and should be continuing that record here. (7) VEGA KHAN must be respected having beaten (4) MADEIN MYEONGSEONG as the pair ran 2nd and 3rd at class and distance last month and both should be competitive here with the latter favoured to overturn that form today. (8) NAMYANG QUEEN and (10) PARTY CONCEP are both up in class here and both have potential for development.

Selections: (1) Adele Star (5) Moment (4) Madein Myeongseong (10) Party Concep
Next Best: 8, 11, 7
Rating: 5, 4, 6=7, 1
Fast Starters: 1, 4, 8
Start-200M: 8, 1, 10, 4, 6
200M-Finish: 6, 4, 11, 5, 2

Race 6: Class 4 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:05 

(1) SANDIEGO MARINE was an impressive winner on debut at this distance on November 18th and while he carries an extra 3kg today, there’s no reason why he can’t follow up. (5) AMERANCE FASHION also won on debut before running 5th in a tough race over 1200M a month ago and can come into consideration here while (7) WHITE BLUE returns to racing for the first time since July. She won two of her first five races and impressed in a November trial. (10) YEONGGWANG SEUNGNI debuted in 4th in the same race as Sandiego Marine while the wildcard is (8) SECRET RHAPSODY. She returns for the first time since April but looked quick in a trial a month ago.

Selections: (1) Sandiego Marine (5) Amerance Fashion (7) White Blue (10) Yeonggwang Seungni
Next Best: 8, 12
Rating: 1=5, 6=9, 4
Fast Starters: 1, 5, 7, 11
Start-200M: 11, 1, 7, 4, 10
200M-Finish: 5, 1, 6, 10, 11

Race 7: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:50 

(6) ADELEUI BOM won over 1000M in August and has run exactly to expectations when recording a 4th and 5th in two tough races since, both over 1200M. He tries 1300M for the first time but could well get an uncontested lead here and if he runs to expectations again, he wins. It’s a similar story for (8) BAEKDUBONG who while slightly less impressive, has shown potential. (3) GANGHO IRON is yet to win in twenty-four attempts but is always close and will be close again while the up in class (1) HWAJEONG and the returning from a spell and making a first start for a new trainer (2) JEONGMAL JOA look best of the rest.

Selections: (6) Adeleui Bom (8) Baekdubong (3) Gangho Iron (1) Hwajeong
Next Best: 2, 7
Rating: 5, 6, 3=8, 1
Fast Starters: 6
Start-200M: 6, 8, 7, 4, 1
200M-Finish: 3, 8, 6, 1, 5

Race 8: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 16:35

(7) SISEON POCHAK was 2nd at class and distance, two lengths behind the useful Beolmaui Sin and plenty ahead of three who go here and he has solid claims to go one better today. He’s one of two stand-outs, the other being (11) SPECIAL ROOKIE. She was 4th in the Korean Oaks at this distance in June and can be forgiven her last start in a big Stakes race at Seoul in October. She’ll be on the early speed here and has every chance of going all the way under an apprentice jockey who gives her even more of a weight advantage. (9) GLORY DAYS was 3rd, seven lengths behind Siseon Pochak last month and can compete for the places again while (3) FINE DREAM and (12) BOUND MYEONGUN can also have similar ambitions.

Selections: (7) Siseon Pochak (11) Special Rookie (9) Glory Days (3) Fine Dream
Next Best: 12, 5
Rating: 7, 1=5, 3=9
Fast Starters: 6, 9, 11
Start-200M: 11, 6, 9, 7, 8
200M-Finish: 2, 1, 3, 5, 4

Race 9: Class 4 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 17:30

2nd on debut over this distance on November 11th, (11) GOOD CASTING looks to be the one to beat here. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he can finish well. Kim Young Kwan’s (6) SUPER MATCH was 4th on debut and is sure to go well again while (1) SPEED MARK was a creditable 6th in a Listed race on what was just his second career start last month and can be competitive today. The more experienced Korean-bred (4) ACE POWER will be dangerous from the early speed while (9) POKPUNGUI JEWANG also looks to have potential for further development.

Selections: (11) Good Casting (1) Speed Mark (6) Super Match (4) Ace Power
Next Best: 9, 2
Rating: 9, 11, 1, 2, 5
Fast Starters: 4, 8, 9
Start-200M: 12, 4, 9, 8, 5
200M-Finish: 7, 1, 6, 9, 2

Race 10: Class 2 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 88 Million / 17:00 

Up in class following five wins from eight career starts, (10) JANTEUGAREU is very much the one they need to beat here. The wide draw isn’t ideal but he should be able to overcome it to sit handy and finish strongly. The experienced (4) JEONGSANG JEAP beat two when racing 3rd over class and distance last time out as indeed did (8) SUPER STORM and those two look to be the main dangers. (1) WORLD LOVE and (6) SINHEUNG GOSU were the two defeated ones on each occasion and they look best of the rest here.

Selections: (10) Janteugareu (4) Jeongsang Jeap (8) Super Storm (6) Sinheung Gosu
Next Best: 1, 9
Rating: 9, 3=5, 7, 8
Fast Starters: 4, 6, 8
Start-200M: 2, 4, 3, 6, 8
200M-Finish: 9, 8, 10, 6, 7

It’s been a busy week off the track in Korean racing with the US racing media reporting Take Charge Indy is the latest stallion to be Jeju Island bound. Racing gets back underway at Busan on Friday with 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00.

English race cards are here. Notes on overseas simulcast races 4-11 are below:

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35

(2) TIMELESS was 4th of 12 on debut over 1000M at the end of last month. She finished strongly that day and is favourite to score over an extended distance here. The main danger is (10) HWANGGEUMBIT JILJU, who debuted unimpressively in June but returned much more strongly last month to actually beat Timeless on October 28th. (5) ALSO POWERFUL showed improvement last month and can be considered while (11) DESTINY and (12) JIBONG YEONGUNG also look capable of finding the money here.

Selections: (2) Timeless (10) Hwanggeumbit Jilju (11) Destiny (5) Also Powerful
Next Best: 12, 1
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 2, 4, 10
Start-200M: 4, 2, 11, 3, 12
200M-Finish: 2, 5, 7, 1, 8

Race 5: Class 5 / 1000M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 14:20 

(1) REALLY ONE has just one win from eleven but two 2nd places among his last three outings an on October 28th was beaten only by the very promising Evergreen Tree at this distance with a couple of others here behind him He’ll be a front-runner, has a strong finish and should take this. One of the ones he beat last time was (8) TIGER SLAM, 4th in that race on what was his first try at this level and he can continue his development today. (9) GOLD FLYING was an unexpected winner last time and while up in class, will get more respect today while the ever so slightly disappointing (4) MISS CANBERRA and the unlucky (6) MOHAVE WANGJA, who did manage to get his maiden win last time out, are the others to watch.

Selections: (1) Really One (8) Tiger Slam (9) Gold Flying (6) Mohave Wangja
Next Best: 4, 10
Rating: 1=6, 8, 3=9
Fast Starters: 4, 8, 9
Start-200M: 8, 10, 4, 5, 9
200M-Finish: 8, 1, 6, 2, 4

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It’s the final leg of the 2016 Queens’ Tour to determine this year’s champion filly or mare at Busan on Sunday, but before that there is a busy day of action on Friday. There are 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00

English race cards can be found here. See below for notes on races 4-11:

Key
Rating: Top five official rated
Fast Starters: Expected to lead the race early
Start-200M: Fastest average time for the first 200M (up to 6 most recent races)
200M-Finish: Fastest average time for the final 200M (up to 6 most recent races)

Race 4: Class 6 / 1300M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 13:35 

Two stand-outs here looking to get their maiden wins at what for both of them is the fourth time of asking. (9) NAMBANG JEONSEOL is favoured. He debuted all the way back last year before immediately suffering a setback and didn’t return until September. A 4th and 3rd in two starts since returning in reasonable company suggest he should be favourite to claim this (8) CAPI RUN is the main danger having shown promise in his own three outings and has an apprentice jockey taking a significant amount of weight off. They should account for the quinella with (1) WINNING ALL, (2) PUREUN GANGJA and (6) SONATILLED looking best of the rest.

Selections: (9) Nambang Jeonseol (8) Capi Run (2) Pureun Gangja (1) Winning All
Next Best: 6, 4
Rating: –
Fast Starters: 4, 5
Start-200M: 5, 4, 9, 1, 8
200M-Finish: 6, 7, 9, 5, 2

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