Korea Racing Busan Preview – 7 February

Friday February 7, 2025

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maidens with four of the twelve racing for the first time. Among those first timers, (8) VANGIE went through two trials running 4^th in the first of them on January 11^th and then a much quicker 3^rd on January 25^th (the latter may not be in all race cards). The dam was a winner of six from ten, reigning actual champion jockey Franco Da Silva is on, and in this company, he has every chance first up. (9) HOMYEONG SHINHWA was an improved 3^rd over this distance at start four on December 27^th, overcoming a slow start to run on and she can go close again. (4) HANEUL GOLD was an on-pace 4^th on debut a month ago over this distance. The time wasn’t quick, but the track was slow in January, and he can go closer here. (10) OVER THE ALLIE and first timer (7) RAON THE MASKE, are others in the frame.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (3) ACE HIGH ran 2^nd on debut over this distance on December 27^th, having previously won a trial. She sat handy throughout, she draws nicely again, and with some natural improvement, she can win this. She will be one of the shortest-priced favourites of the day. (2) DREAMMA is yet to finish in the top two in ten attempts but has no fewer than eight finishes between 3^rd and 5^th.  She likes to sit midfield and run on and from a great draw she can aim to at least match those finishes today. (11) WONDERFUL FORTUNE has finished 5^th in both appearances so far. This looks weaker and third-up she can be peaking. Tanaka climbs on and she can be a threat late. (6) NICE GIRL and (4) BAEKPAL BOEUN others who can challenge for places.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) DAEJI DAEBONG stepped up to this distance for the first time on January 10^th and beat three of these on his way to a very close 2^nd place. He draws well, Franco stays on, and he can go one better today. (1) DREAM TREE hasn’t raced since October 25^th when she was 3^rd over this distance having been slow away and having an awkward trip and adding to a 2^nd on her first try at the mile in September. She had a slight setback after that but has been in regular work since the end of December and while her fitness must be taken on trust, she is a chance. (4) OASIS GREEN has picked up in his latest two with a 5tha dn a 4^th and the step up to a mile for the first time can suit. (11) FAIRY and (12) HOUDINI have hinted at ability and may improve.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Competitive race. Regardless that there are four last start winners, we’ll go with a maiden and (4) MAENGNYONG. He was 3^rd in each of his first three starts up to this class and 1400M when he led. At his latest he took an early bump and then came home lame in the off foreleg having run 5^th on January 10^th. He only missed a week of work and fully fit he can win here. (2) SHASHA is the main danger. She was a class and distance winner two starts back before running 5^th over 1200M on January 5^th. She comes into a better gate today and should be close. (7) ROAD TO ACE got his maiden win at start two having led all the way over 1200M. He is up in class but looks to have plenty of scope for more development and should measure up. (1) HANEUL BOSS is one for one having led all the way on his debut on January 3^rd and down in weight and drawn well, can be in this a long way again. (6) FLASH DAY another in the hunt.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) THE WIND has just the one win from eight starts but comes in having been 4^th on each of last three starts, the latest two at this distance. He tends to get a long way back, but he comes into a much better gate today having drawn gate twelve in both his latest two. That means Tanaka can perhaps pick his spot a little easier and he can come through late – but in time – today. He will vie for favourite status with (6) FLYING THE LUCKY. He enters off a 4^th and a 3^rd from his latest two, both at this distance and both times beating a couple of today’s rivals. He too likes to come from off the pace and is a danger. (7) HWANHUIUI MOON got his maiden win two starts back at 1400M before running 5^th when drawn wide over 1400M on his first try at this level on January 10^th. He comes up to 1800M for the first time and in this company, there is no reason why it can’t suit. (10) ILNYEOM SINHWA and (1) STAR PARK are perhaps better than recent results suggest.

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

(3) ALL TIME LEGEND stepped up to this trip at start number four on January 3^rd, and having already registered two runner-up finishes and a 3^rd, secured his maiden win with a front running effort. He is up in class but slightly down in weight, he draws well to be on pace again, and he can go back-to-back. (7) WATER DRAGON for his second win two starts back and then ran 2^nd when favourite on his first try at this class on January 10^th also at this distance having led until close to home. He only comes up 1kg in the weights and he will almost certainly start as favourite again to get it right this time. (5) NAEPYEON came from off the pace to run 2^nd at this class and distance on December 27^th. He has a smart finish on him and can be doing his best work late again here. (12) THUNDER FURY and (9) SANGSANGGEUISANG among others in the hunt.

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

(2) SAMAKUI KKOT comes in off a gutsy victory over this distance at the end of December, giving trainer Peter Wolsley his last Korean winner. That’s meant an enforced stable change, but he’s landed on his feet with Bart Rice and while up in class he is down in weight and third-up after a lengthy absence, he may have more to give. (1) LEMON TREE is also up in class, in his case following a win and a runner-up finish in his latest two, both at this distance. The win came from a low draw when he was able to get on pace and he gets another here. That, in addition to a big weight drop to the tune of 4.5kg, puts him firmly in with a chance. (8) BEOLMA BROWN mixes his form but based on his last start class and distance 2^nd on January 3^rd when settling midfield and running on, must be considered here. (5) BINNANEUNGIL and (10) FLYING DANU others in the hunt in another competitive race.

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

(11) SKY ROJO beat four of these on his way to victory at this class and distance on January 17^th when settling just behind the speed and proving too strong. He comes up a full 4kg in weight, but he is third up this preparation so may be even better, and he can win again. (6) BEOLMAUI ANGEL was rapidly promoted to this class with three consecutive wins between October and December, all at this distance and making all in each. He stepped up to 1400M for his first try at this class on January 3^rd, leading but ultimately weakening to 5^th. Back in trip and drawn well, he has every chance of returning to winning ways. (2) FINAL SEVEN has won his latest two, most recently at this class over 1400M on December 29^th. He comes up a full 4kg but can be close again. (5) DRAGON REVENGER and (10) TAEWANG SINGI, the latter 3^rd behind Sky Rojo last time, among others in the frame in a very competitive race.

Busan Race 9: Class 2 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

Super finale for Friday. (10) BANG BANG BANG is up in class having won over 1800M at class 3 level on January 3^rd. She comes up in class and in distance here but looks to be getting better with each run and under a light weight and with Munro at the controls, she may still have some upside. (5) BEOLMAUI MONSTER has won his latest two, most recently at this class over 1800M on December 27^th with a couple of today’s rivals behind him. He has the steadier of 58kg this time, but is not to be dismissed. (3) LOVE KING IJI was a winner over 1800M two starts back and was then a desperately close 2^nd on his first go at this class and distance on January 19^th, racing 2^nd the whole way around and beaten by a longshot winner. He once more carries his fair share of weight, but he draws well and has every chance of going one better. (9) B.J. CHIEF and (6) GEUMA HUGE HIT others to keep safe.

Author: Melissa