Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 8 May

Sunday May 8, 2022

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

(5) KING BOSS has only raced twice and has been a beaten favourite twice, finishing 4^th and 3^rd, both times at 1200M. He has raced prominently both times and draws nicely again to do the same here. His time at the distance is quicker than all but one has recorded, and it can be third-time lucky as market leader today. (2) CHOEGANG MUJIGAE took a few goes to figure things out but has a 2^nd and a 3^rd to his name now at this level. He draws nicely here and under a light weight, can be in the mix. (4) WORLD FLOWER remains a maiden but comes in off a career-best 2^nd place scored at this distance on April 10^th when she went right back and ran on. If she doesn’t leave herself too much to do, she can be considered here. (3) CHONGAL CHARM and (1) WONDERFUL DIGGER are others who can have minor money claims.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) WONPYEONG COD was a beaten favourite at class and distance on April 9^th. He previously ran a very fast 2^nd on a wet track on his first try at this class. He draws nicely again and could be worth another chance. The favourite will be (6) CLAIR BEST. He got his maiden win at start number three over this distance on April 2^nd, when he made all, winning by as many as he pleased. He comes up in class here but is marginally down in the weights and draws the same gate he won from. He has every chance of leading from start to finish again today. (11) RISING HAWK got her maiden win at 1200M before running 3^rd on her first try at class and distance on April 2^nd. She doesn’t get a great draw today, but she doesn’t need to lead, and she can run on here. (8) CUPID WAY was disappointing in the same race in which Wonpyeong Cod underwhelmed on April 9^th. Previously a smart winner at 1200M, she too can be given another chance here. (1) MAGIC RUSH another to consider.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (2) A ONE PLUS has a severe case of “second-itis”, having finished as runner-up on six occasions but still yet to win. It’s where she has finished in three of her last four including her latest effort on April 15^th when she sat just behind the speed and ran on strongly. She comes up 2kg for that, but it’s balanced by her getting a much better draw, and it could be her day at last. If you think she will find one too quick again, that one could be (7) HAVANA JANE. She has been a bit of a revelation in recent outings, getting her maiden win three starts back at 1200M and then recording back-to-back runner-up finishes on her promotion to this class. She is worth some thought. (1) ECHO LADY got her maiden win at class and distance on April 10^th when the longest shot on the board. Under today’s handicap conditions, she comes in at a similar weight and form a much better draw another strong showing can’t be ruled out. (9) ANASTASIA and (10) MENI AGAIN others who can place.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (1) SUPERDIA comes up in class following her maiden win at start number three over this distance on April 3^rd when she stalked the leader before taking command in the home straight. She carries the same weight, draws the same gate and she can measure up. (9) WONDERFUL KITTY was 2^nd in that April 3^rd race having settled midfield and then run on strong. She is without a win but has put in some merit-filled runs and she too should fit in among this company. (4) CONCORD SPARK did nothing on debut in January and accordingly wen back to trial. She was much better on her re-appearance on April 2^nd, making all for a very easy win at this distance. Yet another up in class, she can be dangerous again here. Continuing the theme, (12) DOLBAE and (11) BLOOD MOON were also last start winners over the distance at class 6 and despite the wide draws – which Dolbae overcame last time – neither should be too out of place.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Tricky puzzle here. We’ll go with (1) ILNYEOM CHEONHA, a good runner up at the mile two starts back before weakening in the closing stages after leading when stepped up to 1800M last time out. Back in trip today and drawn nicely on the inside where Franco can pick his spot, he can win. (6) GOLD TAP has only raced twice so far, winning on debut over 1200M when overcoming a wide draw and then running on for 5^th over 1400M at this class. The stretch out to a mile should suit and he can be in the finish. (2) GRAND CHUKJE remains a maiden but is rarely far away. From his last four outings, he has three runner-up finishes, all at this distance and most recently at this class too. An apprentice keeps the weight nice and low and it’s not impossible he could go one better today. (10) DOCTOR PRO and (9) WONDERFUL BIRD are among others with placing claims.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (4) WOL YEONG I comes down in weight and into a much better gate than at her latest two starts. She should be on the pace here and with those two things in her favour, has every chance of returning to the winner’s circle. (10) K N MAGIC comes back in trip following back-to-back runner up finishes over 1400M. She has only missed the top four on two occasions and despite coming up slightly in weight and drawing wide, she should be closing here. (1) SOEWAKKOT arrested a run of dreadful form with a win over this distance on April 10^th when sent off at odds of 50/1. She is up in class but down in the weights and draws well and she could be an each-way chance again at what will probably be another big price. (6) MAGIC TIDE and (9) BEST TIME are among others who can enter the calculations

Busan Race 5: Class Open (1800M) Korean Oaks (KOR-G2) Allowance / KRW 600 Million

The second leg of the filly Triple Crown and (4) CHAMJOEUN CHINGU can overturn the form from the first leg, the Luna Stakes on April 10^th, when she got nailed on the line in a seemingly winning position. She has won over 1700M at Seoul at class 4 level when making all and as an on-pace type, today’s draw should suit far better than the gate fourteen she got in the Luna. That Luna winner was (5) GOLDEN POWER and because of that, she probably warrants favourite status. She also gets a better draw than she did that day and while she has only stretched out to a mile so far, she certainly gets back from off the pace and there is no reason why the two-turns can’t suit. She looks a quality filly and was going by far the best at the end of the Mile in the Luna. (1) WONDERFUL RAISE has a great draw and can get an easier run than she did when 4^th in the Luna when she was wide all the way from gate thirteen. That day’s 3^rd placegetter, (10) RAON THE SPURT is less favoured by the draw as she likes to lead, but it is a smaller field than in the Luna, she has plenty of gate speed and with a bit of luck can get to the front. If she does, she has loads of ability and will be in this a long way. For a long shot at good odds, (9) ALPHA SONGDANG is unexposed and could be anything.

Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(6) EAST IMPACT is probably the one to beat here based on current form. He was an on-pace winner over 1200M at class 4 level two starts back before finishing 2^nd at this class and distance behind Cobra Ball on April 10^th when handy throughout. He comes up 2kg in the weights but should be able to get forward again and can go all the way. (3) JEDI has proven a force to be reckoned with and while she was a beaten favourite, at 1400M on a very wet track last time out, can be given another chance here. She must take care not to get too far back, but she will be running on strong at the end. (1) RAON CHAMPSELY steps back in trip following a couple of efforts around two turns, finishing well back in last month’s Gold Circle Trophy race. She comes down 3kg in the weights today and the last time she ran at this distance, at class 4 level in January, she was a winner. From a great draw, she can go close. (2) VICEROY and (4) MY MEMBER, the latter who will lead, others to take into account.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) RAON THE TANK comes up in class following an emphatic win over this distance at class 5 level on April 8^th when he sat handy early before asserting command and running on for a six-length score. This is tougher but the manner of that win suggests there is more to come, and he can win again today. The logical danger is (6) BEAUTIFUL KING. He comes up in trip after back-to-back wins, most recently at this class over 1200M on April 1^st. All three of his victories so far have been at shorter but he looks ready for another crack at seven furlongs and should be on the early speed again here. (5) INDIAN PARTY is yet to win in twenty-four starts, but he has no fewer than fourteen top-four finishes. He has run good times at this distance, and he can place again. (1) GLOBAL SEUNGNI and (3) AFLEET TAPIT are others who can be considered for the minor money.

Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Competitive race. (1) WONDERFUL K was a winner two starts back over 1700M at class 5 level before running a decent enough 3^rd at this class and distance on April 9^th when midfield and running on. She carries the same weight today but draws much better and can win. (2) JANGSAN GUARD has probably earned the right to be favourite. He comes in following an excellent win at class and distance on April 3^rd when he was on pace throughout and battled on strongly. He does come up 3.5kg in the weights but has run well under similar before and has every chance of making it two in a row. (8) LAPIEO BAN has mixed her form, but she has run the joint-fastest time over this distance and in this small field can’t be ruled out. (6) SPEED BELLE and (3) FIRENZE HILL others with minor money potential.

Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

(4) TYCHE FIRE is the one to beat here. He has fifteen top-five finishes from nineteen starts and was a class and distance winner in March. At his latest appearance on April 2^nd, he beat several of today’s rivals on his way to 3^rd place, again at class and distance, and while he does come up 2kg to a big 58kg, he can win. (9) JEONGMUN ACE looks to be the biggest danger. He ran 4^th, just a length behind Tyche Fire in that April 2^nd race and was also a class and distance winner two starts back. He gets 2kg on Tyche Fire today and can go close. (7) GREEN DARC ran a strong 4^th in the Gold Circle Trophy at this distance on April 3^rd at very big odds and perhaps warrants a little more respect today. (3) BIG TRIPLE and (6) MUNHAK ENCORE are others who can challenge for the places.

Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

A very competitive class 1 sprint to conclude the card. (9) MIGHTY GO shapes as the one to beat. He is a class 1 winner over 1400M in a very fast time and comes in having beaten a few of these at this distance on February 20^th, sitting handy from the same gate as today and then running on. He has had eleven weeks off since and does come up 2kg in the weights but nevertheless should put in another bold showing. (8) CHEUNGDAM GENIE was a class and distance winner on April 3^rd, when settling midfield and running on. He remains very nicely weighted here and should be going close again. (5) LEGEND DAY used up plenty of energy getting to the lead from a wide gate over 1400M last time out, but back in trip and with a better draw, can be more competitive here. (4) MASK and (1) GLOBAL CAPTAIN are others in the placing frame.

Author: Melissa