Korea Racing Busan Preview – 9 June

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Eleven previously unraced two-year-old fillies here so we head for the trial videos. The clear standout is (10) BAEKDUUI KKUM, who led all the way around in her trial on May 20^th, crossing the line twelve-lengths ahead of anything else and stopping the clock in a quick time. If she brings anything like that form to the races, she will win easily and she will be a very short-priced favourite here.  (5) DOCTOR KANE has the next quickest trial time. She settled handily in her heat and ran on well and that will be enough to make her the second pick here. (8) COLUMBIA CHAMP and (1) KOHINOOR trialled up together on May 27^th. Their times weren’t fast, but both showed enough to suggest that they can be competitive first-up in a race like this. (2) YONGBI STAR another who could go well.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Maidens. (5) ROAD TO THUNDER just about gets the verdict having been an improved 4^th at start number two in March when racing on pace. She stooped the clock in a faster time than any of the others have managed for the distance, and while she has had a couple of months off, a similar run will put her in the finish. (11) VELOCIRATOR has five finishes between 3^rd and 5^th setting fair times. She has the strongest final furlong among these so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she can challenge late here. (10) NAMYANG DORI was an improved 2^nd last time out on May 7^th when settling handy. She may need a touch of luck to find position from the wide draw but can go close again. (7) ROCK POWER and (6) ACE RUN other potentials for the places.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

It’s hard to go too far past (6) GASOK JEIL here. He comes in off three strong showings over this distance with a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two. In this company, he can settle behind the early speed and should prove too strong at the business end. (7) RUN TO KING has hinted at ability with a pair of 4^th places from his latest two, both at 1200M. He has run on well both times and the step up in trip could suit him very well. (1) SPECIAL FACT mixes her form, but she has picked up plenty of minor money finishes and from a good draw, she can be expected to go close here. (10) I’M KING IJI and (9) POWER RIDE are among others who can be expected to challenge for the places.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(11) DOCTOR CUCKOO got his maiden win two starts back over 1200M before running 3^rd on his first try at this class over that same distance on May 21^st. He likes to run on or close to the pace, so he does have the challenge of the wide gate but the slight step up in trip gives him a bit more time to find a position before the turn and he looks the one to beat. (2) SPECIALIST comes up in class having got his maiden win last time out in a quick time over this distance on May 5^th. He comes down slightly in the weights, he draws nicely, and he can measure up in this company. (4) B.K. NUMA is also up in class having had a few too many near-misses at class 6. She’s been back to trial since her last run, which she came through very nicely and under a very light weight, she can be in the mix. (9) GOLDEN POINT and (1) HWARANG SKY other placing hopes.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Special Weight B / KRW 40 Million

Five of these raced one another at class and distance on May 14^th. (4) TOP FRIEND was the best fancied among them and while he didn’t get the most fluent of trips, ultimately ending in 5^th place, it wasn’t a bad run and his record going into that warrants him another chance here from a better gate. (8) JANGSAN DEFI got her maiden win at 1200M two starts back before running 3^rd over 1300M on her first try at this class on May 19^th. She comes up to the mile for the first time and is also up 2kg in the weights, but neither should be an issue and she can be a big danger here. (1) SUSO POWER ran the best of those in that May 14^th race, overcoming a wide gate as well as big odds to run 2^nd. That was an uptick on recent form, and she can maintain it here. (3) PEGACORN and (7) THEIA are others to keep safe.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) GOLDEN WAVE comes up in class having made all to win over this distance on May 5^th. That continued her record of never having finished worse than 3^rd and despite not getting a weight drop, she already has the fastest time among these for the distance so should have no trouble making an impact in this company. (8) HANEUL JEWANG also comes up in class having run 2^nd t Golden Wave in that May 5^th race. He has plenty to make up on the favourite, but he comes down 3kg in the weights and he should be competitive. (6) HANSEN COD GIRL comes in following back-to-back 2^nd places at class and distance racing on pace both times. She gets an apprentice claim here which should make her competitive again. (7) K. AI and (4) SPECIAL HERO, the latter up in class, are among others who can enter the calculations.

Busan Race 7: Class 3 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 75 Million

(1) EUNSEONG WINNER comes in having run a good 2^nd in a valuable trophy race over this distance on May 14^th. She comes down in the weights here, she comes into a very good gate, and she looks ready to return to winning ways. (2) YEONGCHEON SOLEMIO was a winner at this class and distance two starts back before dropping back to a sprint distance for a trophy race last month. That didn’t go well, but coming back to two turns here, he can be a danger although he does carry his fair share of weight. (8) NICE CHOEGANG comes up in class having won over this distance on May 19^th when handy early. The set weight scale here doesn’t do him any favours, but he can measure up at this level. (7) QUEEN HARLEY and the returning (9) DUNCAN, the latter having been through three trials, are others to consider.

Author: Melissa