Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 8 January

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Tricky race. (6) PISTOL STAR got a long way back after a troubled start in the Breeders’ Cup champion juvenile race on December 4^th and although he made good late ground, he ran out of track and finished in 8^th place. He has raced over 1800M so he won’t be surprised by anything here and it wasn’t a hugely strong field, he may win. (9) ADELE ALLIE’S also remains a maiden but there are grounds to be optimistic on his first try around two turns. He comes in having run 2^nd and 3^rd in his latest two over 1300M, finishing off well and it may just suit. (4) NEW CROWN got his solitary win at class and distance three starts back in October, beating a couple of today’s rivals. The time was slow, but he has gone faster and warrants respect here. (10) MONEY CASE and (5) O.K. THUNDER among others in the hunt.

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

(3) BAEKDU BOY is clear favourite to breakthrough here. He had been posting good times at 1000M and then stepped up to this distance on November 19^th and ran 2^nd, well beaten by a good winner but stopping the clock faster than any of the others here who have tackled 1200M. He draws well to be on pace or handy and may take some beating. (4) GOOD SIMON hinted at some ability at start number three, when running on for 4^th. She comes up in trip for the first time and the way she has finished off her races suggests it is about time. (1) EXPECT ran fairly from a wide gate over this distance on debut in November. The draw is better here and with some natural improvement for that experience, he can be expected to get closer. (5) FOUR ACE and (11) WHITE WITCH others in the minor money frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(9) LANE KILLER returned from eight months out on December 18^th and ran a creditable 6^th of eleven at class and distance. He has won over 1800M before and should strip fitter for that performance. He can return to winning ways here. (10) WONDERFUL WORLD comes in following a smart win at this class distance on December 11^th when settling back and running on, leaving a couple of today’s rivals back down the track. He joins Lane Killer at tope weights and could prove the main danger. (12) WIND WINNER came up in class after a 3^rd and a 2^nd at 1800M in September and October. He showed he can fit in at this level with 4^th over a mile at his latest outing and despite the wide draw, he can go close here. (7) LIGHT STORY and (5) GREAT DANCE among others who can be competitive.

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

(9) RAON THE QUALITY finally showed a bit of it when getting her maiden win at start number four with a blitzing win in a fast time over 1200M on December 3^rd. She comes up in class here but that shouldn’t be an issue and the “full” sister to Group race winning filly Raon The Spurt can win again today. She is though just one of four who are up in class following last start wins. (10) SECRET PLAY also made his breakthrough at start four over this distance and comes up in class. He settled right back and then ran on so the wide draw shouldn’t be a hindrance and he can go well in this company. The draw may not be quite so ideal for (11) GLOBAL KANGTA. His maiden arrived at start five and he was on pace throughout. He has run on well from behind though so a place shouldn’t be beyond him. (8) BIG SMART completes the up in class quartet in the top four with (7) GO GO STAR possibly the best of those who already have class 5 experience.

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

(6) CHOICE RUN had a torrid time from gate sixteen in the Breeders’ Cup Champion Juvenile race over 1400M on December 4^th. Draw a line through that and instead go on his previous effort, a 4^th place finish in the Listed Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy in November and on pace win at class 5. From a much kinder draw and in more amenable company, he should go much better today. The logical main danger is (2) RAP VERSA. A smart all the way winner over this distance at class 5 level in October, he worked hard to get to the front from a wide draw on his first try at this class on November 18^th. He finished a creditable 5^th and could get an easier run from a better gate today. This looks a more suitable assignment for (1) FLYING REGAL than his most recent task, which was a shy at the stumps in a valuable Trophy race over a mile. He has a light weight, a good draw, and a fair chance. (9) JATNAMUGIL and (12) HALLA NURI are also capable of competing for the money on their day.

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

Having made all in a November trial, (3) HIDDEN BRAIN did precisely the same on her debut over 1300M on December 11^th, winning well in a good time. She comes up in class here but at the same distance and under even less weight from a good gate, she will be backed strongly to repeat. (6) NEMO PRINCE was a good class and distance 3^rd on December 10^th when handy and running on. He is up a little in the weights but could offer some value at a potential each-way price.  (8) MORNING PEARL is yet to win but is a consistent type with eight top-four finishes from ten starts. She likes to settle back and run on and while she may find one or two too quick again, she should there or thereabouts. (12) LAROMANEE was a touch disappointing at her last start at class and distance but on previous form is worth another chance. She has the fastest time of any of these for the distance. (9) GEUMA ALLURE another in the hunt.

Busan Race 6: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(8) MILLION BANK comes up in class having won both starts since returning from a six-month absence. His latest was at this distance on November 27^th when he sat handy and ran on strongly in a fast time. He is very nicely weighted and while this is a sterner examination, he may well come through it. Eight of these raced one another over 1200M at this class on December 4^th. (6) OREUDA was favourite that day, but he was slowly away and from then on, was always playing catch-up, ultimately finishing 3^rd. Faith is kept with the apprentice jockey who rode him that day meaning the weight is low, he has won at the distance before, and he may well start as the favourite. (3) ACE KILLER came home in 2^nd place in that race having settled midfield and run on. That day as now, he was racing out of class but don’t rule out a repeat. (5) GREAT BOSS carries his fair share of weight but has plenty of ability and can be in the hunt. (10) SKY MORE drops back in trip but is in form and can’t be ruled out.

Seoul Race 7: Class 5 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

A competitive race. We’ll go with (1) WONPYEONG KILLAR, who is yet to break through and is up in the weights under today’s conditions. He does though come up in trip, something that he may well have been looking for and from a good gate, he may be able to dictate. (9) K N TIZWON also comes in winless but with perhaps his best chance to date. Since coming up to 1700M he has put in three very solid performance, including a 2^nd place last time when coming right from the back of the field. The concern is if he leaves himself too much to do again, but a win doesn’t seem far off. (4) GOLD SPIKE has plenty of experience but comes up to this trip for the first time. She finished off very well for 3^rd over 1400M last time out and could be ready for a crack at two-turns. (11) CHEONSONGI and (12) NAEGILUI BYEOL among others in at least the placing frame.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(12) CHOEGO BLACK was sent off as favourite on December 4^th over 1600M but came up short to the tune of five-lengths behind a 60/1 outsider. Those mile races can be tricky though and coming up to two turns proper here, despite carrying an additional 3kg and drawing the widest gate, this is not a strong set of rivals, and he is the one to beat. (10) NUBI GANGJA has won at this distance and enters in fair form following a 3^rd place at class and distance in November and can be considered a place chance. (2) SUPER ECTON was 4^th behind Choego Black in that December 4^th race and from a good draw, can sit off the speed and challenge late here. (4) THANK YOU DAECHEON and (9) SISEONJIPJUNG are others who can aim for places but it’s hard to see them beating the favourite.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

(6) GLOBAL YEONGUNG enters off a solid class and distance 2^nd place on November 26^th when settling midfield and finishing strongly albeit four-lengths behind good winner Double Edge. He comes in here under the same weight and a similar showing will put him right in the finish again. (2) ROYAL ROAD returned to winning ways over 1200M at this class at the end of November. He can run at this distance too as evidence by his 2^nd place two starts back when going right back and running on. He does come up 5kg in the weights from his last start but shouldn’t be ruled out. (1) COOL PRINCESS is the probable pacesetter. She was 6^th in her first try at this class on December 4^th but the margins were not big and the time was good. From the inside gate she may get an easier early run here. That can allow her to overturn the form on (11) HAEDEULMOE. He was 5^th in that December race, which followed a 2^nd place at the start prior. The wide draw shouldn’t be an issue as he can settle midfield and finish strongly. The up in class (5) WONDERFUL DEVIL potentially another in the frame.

Seoul Race 10: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

(4) SOUL MERIT returned to winning ways in fine style at class and distance on November 20^th sitting handy until the home straight and them romping home for an easy win. The lightly raced six-year-old has been a consistent high performer and under today’s handicap conditions he should haver too much for this lot at what is essentially level or better weights. Those conditions also suit (1) THE GUMPU, whose latest two outings don’t reflect his ability. He goes best when on pace and the inside draw gives him an excellent opportunity to return to form. (3) HEUNGROK DAEBU comes up in class but down in weight after a strong 2^nd place at this distance on November 27^th. He can measure up at this level. (11) GANGTOMA and his big rating is why the others, including Soul Merit, get to carry a light weight. He has a strong finish on him and while he is at a disadvantage, don’t rule him completely out of the money. (7) MIGHTY WHO is another in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 11: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) GLOBAL BOBAE won three races in a row at this distance between July and October, the last of which was at this class. He stepped up to 1400M for his most recent outing in November and after starting slowly and settling back, ran home in 5^th. He carries plenty of weight here but comes down in trip, draws well, and can return to winning ways. (10) HIGH RUNNER came home in 4^th place in her first try at this class on December 3^rd. She is another who may appreciate the drop in trip, and she comes in under a light weight. (2) EUNSEONG MARU was 2^nd to Global Bobae at class and distance in October. She mixes her form but she has the fastest time of any of these for the distance and shouldn’t be ruled out here. (1) MJ POINT and (9) ANYANG HORANGI others in the placing hunt.

Author: Melissa