Korea Racing Busan Preview – 28 February

Friday February 28, 2025

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

Maiden fillies in the opener with two of the nine racing for the first time.  Despite two very unpromising trials, (6) JJAK SARANG ran 4^th on debut over this distance on February 7^th, showing on pace throughout. She should have come on for that run and can be the one to beat here. (9) GREAT MARU has been poor in her latest two most recently having weakened after leading on January 27^th. She does have a 2^nd place to her name though and that’s enough to put her in contention in this company. (7) DOCTOR KAREN has a 4^th on her record at start two and while that is surrounded by two less encouraging efforts, she should be on pace in this company and go close. (1) WONDER MOCCASIN and debut maker (2) AREUMDAUNNALDAL others who could feature.

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

After an inauspicious debut, (7) POWER TIME has picked up in his latest two coming from off the pace to record a 6^th and 3^rd at 1200M and 1400M. Tanaka stays on and with similar tactics, he can win here. (6) COWBOY MAN has a front running 2^nd and a 3^rd on his record and had excuses last time out as he returned lame when 6^th over 1300M on January 17^th. He came back in to work on February 7^th and fully fit here, he can be a danger and will probably start as favourite. (2) HANEULPYEONGJEONG returned from nine months out in December and has since run 4^th twice, most recently on January 19^th at 1400M. She draws well to be on pace and third-up she can be peaking. (3) DIVINE KINGDOM and first-time starter (4) CAPTAIN DRAGON are others to look out for.

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

(6) GLOBAL WONDER was an improved 3^rd when stepped up to the mile at start number four on February 7^th, settling midfield and working home well. Franco climbs aboard for the first time, and it can be his day. That will mean overturning the form on (1) FATE. He too stepped up to a mile for the first time in that February 7^th race and after a slow start made his way forward and ran on for 2^nd. Both were well beaten by a good winner, but the pair can dispute top honours this time. (10) RUNNING FASHION is one-paced but does have a 2^nd place to her name as well as the fastest time among these for the distance and she looks a fair place chance here. (5) NICE GIRL and (11) JOJOBA perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (7) MIRAGE got her maiden win at start three on December 15^th having been on pace throughout. The win had been coming and after having January off she came back in to work at the start of this month and while up in class, she has every chance of measuring up in this company. (12) QUEEN TYCHE was a smart winner at this distance on February 16^th, coming from off the pace. She is up in class but she did it from gate twelve last time and she can measure up. (5) ASSEMBLE won at start number two in November, similarly on pace all the way, and comes back in after sixteen weeks out. It’s fair to say she didn’t offer many clues in an underwhelming trial on February 8^th, but she will have plenty of backers here. (9) MOTHER CHUKJE and (4) ALICE MARINE others in the hunt.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) BEOLGYO WANGCHO had been working up to a maiden win and it duly arrived at start number four when he led all the way around to comfortably score over 1200M. He comes up in class and in trip here, but the manner of that victory was such that neither should be an issue. (5) MEGA PLAY ran 3^rd on debut before getting his maiden win at start two over 1200M on January 24^th racing on pace throughout. He too comes up in class and in trip but should be challenging Beolgyo Wangcho for the early lead and be in the finish. At the other end of the experience scale is (11) HWARANG ACE. He is hard to catch but has a 2^nd and a 4^th among his last three starts and with Seo Seung-un aboard for the first time, he can be challenging from off the pace here. (2) BEST BOY and (12) SKY SEUNG among others to consider on a place line.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Tricky one. (6) GEUMA GUTTY didn’t score in three attempts between August and November last year, but he registered a 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th, beating a fair few of these along the way including in Listed juvenile company. He’s been out for fifteen weeks, and tackles the mile for the first time, but he trialed up very nicely on February 15^th, winning his heat in a quick time and if he brings that form to the races, he can win. (7) GEUDAEMANUI BLUE was an improved 2^nd at start number two over 1200M Under today’s handicap conditions he comes down in weight and his running style suggests the step up in trip can suit. (9) WONDERFUL BIDDER was a class and distance winner on January 17^th, racing on pace throughout. He comes up 3.5kg in weight but warrants respect. (11) BLACK VOLT and (12) FLYING CROWN are others to look out for.

Busan Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(12) OASIS RED has finished outside the top four on just one occasion and that was in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie last November. Since then, he has raced 4^th and 3^rd in two outings at this class and distance, both times racing on pace. He has won at 1800M already and while he faces the challenge of the widest gate, he can return to winning ways today. (3) THE WIND obliged as favourite over this distance on February 7^th racing handy throughout before taking things up a furlong out and holding on for a narrow victory. He Is up in class but is down in weight, well drawn, and can measure up. (1) BEST CHAMP was a class and distance winner as recently as December and enters off a solid 3^rd place on February 9^th with a couple of today’s rivals behind. He is 4.5kg up on what he won under but shouldn’t be dismissed. (5) MASARANGGIL and (10) STEALTH MODE others to consider.

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

(3) MOTHER ROAD returned from more than a year out to win over this distance on January 26^th, leading all the way and scoring by as many as she pleased. She is up in class but should strip fitter for that run and from a good gate can be on pace and go all the way again. (1) LAST DRAGON was an also-ran in the 2024 Korean Derby and subsequently suffered several setbacks that kept him off the track until this January. He was gelded during his time out and while he knocked up very quickly over 1400M on his return on January 3^rd, he should strip much fitter for that run, and he can show his true form here. (5) TAEWANG SINGI has a 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th from three starts at this class. From a good draw, he can be on pace and in this a long way. (2) ROAD STAR and (10) COLUMBIA CHAMP others in placing contention.

Author: Melissa