Korea Racing Busan Preview – 10 February

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

(1) SPECIAL ROAD is yet to finish any worse than 3^rd from three outings to date and got her win at class 6 level two starts back when making all over this distance in an all-filly maiden in a good time. She then ran a front running 3^rd when stepped up to 1300M for her first try at this class, again in filly company. She draws a great gate, carries a light weight and has every chance of leading all the way again. (7) BUDDY BUDDY made all on his second start to win over 1000M before finishing 5^th of eight in the Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy for juveniles. He weakened late over 1400M on his most recent start n January 6^th but should find this more suitable. (2) BEOLGYOUI KKUM is another all the way winner, his coming at start number two over this distance. He then led on his first try at this class over 1400M just two weeks ago, ultimately finishing in 4^th place and is another who may appreciate the step back in trip. (5) DIABLO QUEEN and (8) PHANTOM ACE – the latter up in class here but one of few fancies who should be happy to take a sit and avoid a speed duel – others to consider.

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

Fillies and mares only here and this lot really know how to mix their form so we need to catch one on a good day. That could be (12) SKY JEJUHYANG who seems to alternate good performances with poor ones. Her latest fell into the latter category but if we go on her showing two starts back when runner-up at class and distance then she has to be in with a chance. She does carry more weight than that day and has drawn wide but against this modest opposition, has as good a chance as any. (4) QUEEN OF SPIRIT is another who needs a line drawn through her latest effort but before that ran 4^th and 2^nd at 1300M and 1400M, both at this class. She tends to get a bit far back but similar runs to those two put her in with a winning chance here. (3) A. ONCE came out of gate ten and from off the pace to run 4^th at class and distance on January 27^th. She comes out of a better gate here and under a light weight, can be in the hunt. (1) KF OGONG and (5) TITAN K others who can place on their day.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(6) FINAL SEVEN comes in off his first disappointing outing to date when working hard to lead from a wide draw before weakening in the home straight over a mile on January 15^th. At his prior start he ran a close 2^nd in a decent time at this class and distance when on pace and back down in trip today and from a better draw, he should get a softer run and can win. Also drawn better today is (5) HWANGU FIGHTER. Not that gate eleven troubled him on January 6^th when he got to a handy position and then ran on to win. He comes up in class here but is down in the weights and should measure up. One at odds could be (12) BUILD UP. He overcame the same wide draw to run 5^th, beating a few of these in a quick race on a wet track on January 13^th and under the same weight today, going even better isn’t impossible at what will surely be an each-way price. (8) GREAT ONE and (1) TEUKGEUP CAMP are others who come in off positive latest outings and can enter the calculations.

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

(1) COLORFUL WIND’s recent form reads well and she beat a few of these on her way to 3^rd place at class and distance on January 15^th when settling right back and running on. With an apprentice engaged today she comes down in the weights, draws better, and could come out of top. (3) K.AI was a somewhat disappointing also-ran when well supported in that same race having been slower away than usual and never a factor. If he gets a better start here – and he should – we should see a different side to him today. (2) GOOD SOCKS is far better than her latest two efforts suggest. She has had three months off since her latest so comes in fresh this time and from a good draw can get on or close to the speed and just like K.Ai, we could be seeing a better version of her here. (7) ILNYEOM CHEONHA was one of those beaten by Colorful Wind last time out but has placed at class and distance and can be competitive here. (8) GOLDEN another in the hunt.

Busan Race 8: Class 2 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

This is the kind of race that may suit (6) POKPUNG EONDEOK. He doesn’t win out of turn but has seventeen top-five finishes from twenty-four starts and comes in off a really good 3^rd place from a wide gate over 2000M on January 27^th. He likes to settle back and run on and under a light weight again, he can go close. (11) WARRIOR CLASS comes up in class following a win over this distance in a super time on an admittedly wet track on January 15^th when settling just behind the speed and proving too strong. That time was faster than anything here has managed for the distance and while the track was very fast that day, he comes down a full 5kg in the weights and a repeat can’t be ruled out. Also up in class is (8) STAR EYE. His class 3 win also came at this distance on January 6^th when settling midfield and running on. He too comes down significantly in the weights and can measure up. (9) SKY MORE and (5) SO MUCH GO the other logical chances.

Busan Race 9: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(2) FASHION BLADE looks the one to beat here. She comes in off a good 3^rd over 1200M at this class on December 23^rd when beating a few of today’s rivals when settling midfield and running on well. She draws well again and third-up this preparation, she may well be peaking fitness-wise. (7) WONDERFUL FAGER returns to action after six months out. He has placed at class and distance and while he will need to be taken somewhat on trust, he trialled up promisingly in early January and can put in a bold showing first-up. (6) KING BROTHER had a poor day at the office over 1800M a month ago. He has run well at this distance though and while he is running out of class here, this shy at the class 3 stumps means he comes down a full 7kg in weight on his last outing. It’s not impossible. (12) ROAD TO V and (11) WORLD CHANGE among others in the placing frame.

Author: Melissa