Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Preview – 9 July

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(8) SUNGAN TOUCH had a slightly disappointing day at the office when well supported over 1300M on June 3^rd but finishing 6^th of ten. He was going very well at this distance prior to that though with a 2^nd and a 3^rd at this class, and he will be a warm favourite to score here. (2) FIRST USER remains a maiden but comes up in class after two runner-up finishes at class 6. She likes to run on pace so she is drawn very nicely and the 2kg drop in carried weight can help her be competitive here. (3) JAEWOO SIDAE comes in having run 3^rd at a big price at class and distance on June 16^th when slowly away but running on really well. She will warrant more respect this time around. (7) LONDON QUEEN and the up in class (5) SEOUL SPURT among others to consider.

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

(4) TAEWANG SINGI scored over this distance at class 6 level on debut in February and then after a couple of mishits over further on his first two goes at this class, returned to the 1200M to almost lead all the way on June 11^th, ultimately coming home 2^nd. He draws nicely here and can go one better. All the rest are going to need to improve significantly on their respective latest starts. (8) GOLDEN CAMP was a solid 2^nd two starts back over class and distance and on that form warrants consideration. She can sit handy or on pace and run on. (9) WORLD FIVE didn’t do much when returning from five months out in May but she had previously shown ability. She should strip fitter from that run and can improve in this limited company. (11) GOLDENTHUNDERBOLT and (1) HALLA NURI others who could enter the equation.

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

(3) CATS EYE will be favoured here. With one exception he has done well at this level and comes in following a 3^rd and a 2^nd from his latest two, both over this trip and when racing on pace. An apprentice is engaged today which takes him down significantly in the weights and from a good draw he should be on pace right away and go all the way. (2) WONDERFUL SHADOW comes in after back-to-back 4^th place finishes at class and distance. She too is an on-pace type and comes into a better gate here. She carries a light weight and should be in contention. (1) MENI POCKET is still a maiden but comes up in class having finished in the top four on four out of five occasions to date. She carries a feather weight here and can measure up at this level. (10) DONGTEUJA WAY is better than his latest appearance suggests and along with (7) EINSPANNER, is another one in the hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

This is a good race, but it is hard to go far past (4) STAR FURY. He is yet to finish any worse than 4^th in his six outings and enters off a close 2^nd at this class and distance on June 4^th when coming from off the pace. He comes up 1.5kg in the weights but in this company can be expected to be on the speed and to take some beating. (9) STAR CLASS will be the second-favourite. He has struggled to get a strong of races together but when fit, has shown ability, as when 3^rd over 1300M at this level in March. He hasn’t raced since then but he looked in good order when winning a June 24^th trial and can go close if he can bring that form back to the races. (1) THEIA Comes back in trip and looks nicely in under a light weight. Returning to the night sky theme, the up in class (6) PURPLE STAR is another to consider along with (11) ROAD TO QUEEN.

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

(3) SEONGSILGONGJUPINK only managed to finish 6^th of eleven last time out but it was a very competitive race, and the margins weren’t big. Prior to that, she was a smart 2^nd at this class and distance and from a good draw she looks to be the one to beat here. (8) DREAM SPEED doesn’t exactly win out of turn, but she has plenty of experience at this class and while she does mix here form, this is the kind of race she can pick up some prize money in. So too (6) BENCAL PRINCESS, who beat Dream Speed when the pair came home 1^st and 2^nd two starts back in April. She three in a shocker last time on a very wet track over 1300M in May but can be given another chance here. (5) MOONHAK SONG is yet to finish in the top-two but has consistently picked up some minor money since starting at this class (imports have to begin at class 4). (1) MALICE QUEEN debuted without distinction last Christmas Day and hasn’t raced since. She looked well enough in two recent trials and can improve.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) POWER SOUND has won his latest two in good order, most recently at this class and distance on June 4^th when always on or near the lead. He comes up a full 4.5kg in the weights today but he draws well again, and he should be equal to the task and make it three in a row. (11) RAON THE HARLEY is up in class following a last start win over 1300M. He is yet to finish any worse than 5^th from five starts and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, he is nicely treated in the weights and can be a danger. (9) DOCTOR CUCKOO is up in class too despite not winning at class 5 level. Instead, he comes up off the back of a 3^rd and a 2^nd over 1200M and 1300M in good times. He is down significantly in the weights and may be worth a chance at an each-way price. (1) HALLOWEEN PARTY and (4) TEUKGEUP CAMP are others to keep safe.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(8) YUJEONG CHAMP has the fastest time among these for the distance, and while he has been no better than ordinary in his latest two when slowly away both times, he comes down slightly in the weights and Antonio climbs on. In this smaller field, he can sit behind the speed and run on. (5) MAGLE DAY was a winner over 1200M two starts back and then ran 2^nd in a quick time at 1300M on his first try at this level on June 11^th. He continues under a light weight and while he tackles this distance for the first time, there is no reason why it can’t suit. (7) MIR POINT is up rapidly in class having won his latest two. He just got up in his most recent having been ungenerous to the extent that he had to trial prior to coming back here, something he did well in mid-June. He is nicely weighted and then extended trip may help him to settle better. (6) TAEYANGTAGO is consistent and will surely be close again while (2) CHALLENGE SOCKS is a proven placer at this class.

Busan Race 6: Class Open (1600M) Busan Owners’ Cup (KOR G3) Weight for Age / KRW 500 Million

A full field of sixteen tackle this and it’s wide open. (10) DAEHAN JILJU is the probable favourite. While more noted as a sprinter – he was 4^th in last year’s Korea Sprint – he has won up to 1800M and a mile should be well within his wheelhouse. He comes in off an all the way score over 1400M at class 1 level in Seoul in May and while he draws a touch wider than ideal, he can get on pace, and he can win this. (13) PRO CONSUL enters in good form. He was a class 1 winner over 1800M two starts back and most recently ran 2^nd over a mile. He also has the fastest time among these for the distance and while the wide gate could be an issue, he has a chance. (14) NORTHERN TIME comes in having secured his first class 1 victory over a mile on June 4^th. The Seoul mile, with its awkward starting point, is very different to the Busan one but on recent form he shouldn’t be ruled out. (1) WINNER GOLD ran 3^rd behind Tuhonui Banseok and Winner’s Man in the YTN Cup in May. He could have continued in the Stayer Series and tackled the Busan Mayor’s Cup last week, but connections have opted for this instead and they are rewarded with a good draw and solid chances. (11) YES PERFECT and (8) GREAT BOSS among plenty of others in with a shout in a very competitive race.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1700M) Special Weight B / KRW 60 Million

Small but competitive field. (5) ULTRA GALAXY comes in having run 4^th over class and distance on May 27^th when handy throughout. He is a two-time winner at the distance and also has the fastest time among this field at it. He can win here. The main danger is (2) MUNHAK TAPIT. A class and distance winner in April, he enters having run 3^rd on his latest start on June 17^th, beating a couple of these in the process. He carries his fair share of weight, but he has strong claims. (3) OCHEONBOK on the other hand carries next to no weight. His 3^rd place over 1800M at this class on June 4^th wasn’t quick but he is well drawn o get a forward position here and he can go close. (7) ROYAL HAMSEONG is rarely too far away and has won at class and distance this year, albeit under 4kg less. He along with (9) BODY STAR are others to consider.

Busan Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 60 Million

(3) DEMON SPY was a winner at class and distance in March and enters off the back of two near misses when 3^rd and 2^nd, also at this class and distance. This time he draws a much better gate, and while he carries his fair share of weight again, he will be favoured to win. (7) UNJU STAR actually beat Demon Spy when the pair of them ran 2^nd and 3^rd at class and distance on May 5^th. He struggled when dropped back to a mile and was sent off as favourite on his last start a month ago but can be given a chance here. (8) MA GUN is rapidly up in class after back-to-back victories at 1400M and a mile. He tackles two turns for the first time and while the set weight scale doesn’t do him any favours, he has potential for further development. (1) HANEUL GANGJA and (9) HONEY DRAGON the other place chances.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 75 Million

(8) WORLD RACER will be a warm favourite. He comes up in class following back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at 1400M and 1700M but is down significantly in weight and looks to have more improvement in him in what is not an especially strong race for this level. (6) WINNER BLUE enters in good form with a 2^nd and a 3^rd place form his latest two at 1700M and a mile, settling midfield and running on. He remains nicely weighted and should go close again. (10) STRONG VULTURE came back up to two-turns and back into form when almost making all at class and distance on May 13^th, ultimately coming home in 2^nd. He has the challenge of the outside gate this time but if he can find a forward early position, he can be competitive. (5) A. P. PATEK and (7) K N LIGHT others in the placing hunt.

Seoul Race 10: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

It’s time for (3) COBRA BALL to get a class 1 win. He comes in having run 4^th over a mile on June 4^th alongside several of today’s rivals but coming back down to the 1200M for the first time in a year and coming into a good gate and under a light weight, he is very much the one to beat. (5) VICTOR MOON had a hard time in the Ttukseom Cup in May but was a very smart winner over this distance at class 2 level at the start before. Although five-years-old, she is lightly raced and still looks to have more improvement in her. (10) CUPID MISSION is up in class following a sharp win over 1400M back in May when making all. He may need a touch of luck at the start but in this type of class 1 race, he can measure up. (6) GLOBAL CAPTAIN beat Cobra Ball and others when 3^rd in that race over a mile on June 4^th and along with (8) NIMUI HYANGGI is another in the placing frame.

Author: Melissa