Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 13 April

Sunday April 13, 2025

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

(2) RACE ROSE took a couple of goes to figure things out, but she has a 4^th and two 3^rd places from her latest three, most recently at this distance on March 15^th racing handy throughout. Moon Se-young stays on, she draws well and today should be her day. (4) TIGER K was a much-improved 2^nd at start number three over this distance on March 8^th when being ridden further forward than in his first two appearances. Expect similar tactics today, and he can be a danger. (5) DIA ROOK has the fastest time among these for the distance and from a better gate can go much better than last time. (9) CHEONGHAE STAR and (7) DUSON EUTTEUM others in the frame.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After an inauspicious debut, (9) POWER BAND has run 3^rd in both subsequent outings, both at 1200M and most recently on March 16^th when close to the speed throughout. The wide draw shouldn’t stop her getting a forward position, and she can win here. (4) ALPHA FEMALE led for much of the way around over this distance on March 2^nd before ultimately having to settle for 5^th. She’ll be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (2) BEST KINGDOM has two 3^rd places from his latest three. An apprentice keeps his weight nice and low, and he can be doing his best work late on. (5) NONSTOP SERVE and (6) LASER RUN are perhaps the best of a somewhat limited looking rest.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. It’s been twelve runs at this class for (5) WONDERFUL SPIRIT since getting her maiden win, but she has been working her way back into contention in her latest few, most recently when 3^rd at class and distance on March 9^th sitting behind the speed and running on. The same apprentice keeps her weight from coming up too much and she has as good a chance as any. (8) EXCELLENT MATTA is yet to win in seventeen, but recent efforts are a cause for optimism, and she beat a couple of these on her way to 3^rd in a similar race to this at 1300M on March 8^th. In this company she should be on pace and she could break through. (7) UPPERHAND is up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes in filly maidens. Both times she was beaten by decent winners and there isn’t much to fear here. (9) GOOD FIGHTER and (4) WONPYEONG GWANGYA others to consider.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (6) HANNAM QUEEN enters in the best form with a 3^rd and a 4^th from her latest two, both at 1200M and both times close to the speed. In this company she should be among the early pacesetters again, and she won’t need to improve much to win this. (12) SEOGWI CHOWON beat a few of these on her way to 3^rd place over 1200M on March 14^th. That was by far her best effort so far and she can build on it here. (3) AREUMDAUNNALDEUL was a fair 6^th of nine on debut at the end of February. She should have come on for that run, Seo Seung-un climbs on, and she can improve here. (1) SPEED MORE and (5) HOLIDAY QUEEN are others to consider for the places.

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

After winning a trial, (2) WHITE CARLA led every step of the way to win on debut over this distance on March 15^th. He comes up in class here but is down in weight, draws well, and he can maintain his 100% record here. (11) LEGEND WOW won on debut and following an undistinguished first try at this class, ran 3^rd at this distance on March 2^nd. CC climbs on and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, he can be a danger. (8) HAKSAN DARK HORSE has been working towards a second win, most recently running 3^rd at class and distance on March 23^rd when coming from well back. He can leave himself a bit much to do but should be dangerous late on. (3) SEOUL BINGO and (9) RYAN HEAT, the latter up in class following a last start maiden win, are others to consider.

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) RAON THE MASKE was a winner on debut over 1200M in February before running 3^rd on his first try at this class and distance on March 7^th racing handy throughout. He only comes up 1kg in weight, he should be on speed, and he will be a short price favourite to win this. (9) BEOLGYO WANGCHO is the danger. His maiden win had been coming, and it arrived at start four in January when leading all the way at 1200M. He was on pace on his first try at this class on February 28^th, ultimately finishing in 2^nd in what was his first try at this distance. He should have come on for that run and while up in weight and drawn a touch wider than ideal, he can go close. (4) BEST BOY is yet to finish in the top two and was 7^th behind Beolgyo Wangcho last time out. He has eight finishes between 3^rd and 5^th though and from a good gate may make for some each way appeal. (12) ASTRE and (10) GWANGYAEUIHAMSUNG others in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) DANAEUN KINGDOM was 6^th on debut but followed up with back-to-back wins at 1400M that have seen him rapidly promoted to this class. He comes up in trip too but there is nothing about him that suggests that two turns can’t suit, and he can complete a hat-trick here. (2) MAX WEEK enters in the best form if his career with two wins from his last three, most recently making all over 1800M on March 15^th. He is up in class but is nicely weighted and well-drawn to lead again with every chance of being in this a long way. (3) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA has five top three finishes at this distance including a win. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be a danger late. (10) GOMANARU and (6) CHEONGSAN JILJU are others in the hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) CHOGYEOKCHA was sent off as favourite for Busan’s Classic Trial in February but finished last of nine having been slow to begin and then racing wide. That took him, at least for now, off the Classic trail, but his prior body of work means he should get another chance here. He has won at a mile already and from the inside gate can sit handy and win again. (9) BEOLMA KING and (8) ALL TIME LEGEND both come in having won their latest two. That brings them both up considerably in the weights here and both tackle the mile for the first time, but neither should have an issue. All Time Legend will be on speed while Beolma King will run on, and both can have a say. (6) GREAT BOY has a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two, both at this class over 1800M. He is one for one at the mile and can be in the mix again. The form falls off rapidly after those with (7) BLAZING MAN, 2^nd last start, the nest of the rest.

Seoul Race 6: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy / KRW 150 Million

Northern hemisphere three-year-olds and southern four-year-olds in what is a cracking race. (2) ECLIPSE THE KING took a couple of goes to work things out but has been formidable since, winning his latest four up to class 4 and this distance. He will lead here and will take some getting past. (1) FINAL K has suffered just one defeat and that was at the hands of Wonpyeong Storm in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy last November. He enters having won at class 2 level at 1400M in February coming from off the pace. He tends to just do enough which suggests he can quickly adapt to the increase in trip and it would be no surprise if he won again. (10) BRAVAZO EMPIRE has raced just three times, winning twice up to class 4 and 1300M. This is a big step up in terms of competition, but he can be equal to it. (6) PALATINO and (9) MUSKET DAY others with plenty of ability.

Busan Race 4: Class Open (1600M) Special Weight A / TJK Trophy / KRW 150 Million

(2) HUNTER DRAGON was a class 2 winner over 2000M on March 7^th settling back early before stalking the pace and proving too strong with three of today’s rivals behind him. He has two wins and two 2^nd places from five tries at this distance and while he carries his fair share of weight, he can win again. (4) HANGANG CLASS is the danger. 5^th in the Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy last November, his latest effort saw him go to Seoul and run 4^th in the Segue Ilbo Trophy at 1200M. He has placed at both the mile and 1800M, so distance isn’t an issue and while he too has plenty of weight to carry, he has solid claims here. (1) BIG MUSICAL STAR enters with recent form reading well up to class 3 level and from a good draw and under a light weight may make for some each-way value. (7) MR.KEYMAN and (6) GEUMA DISTINCTION are other place chances.

Seoul Race 7: Class Open (1600M) Special Weight A / China Horse Industry Association Trophy / KRW 150 Million

(7) SPEED ONE ran out a comprehensive winner over 2000M at class 2 level last time out in January leading all the way to take his record to six wins from twelve starts. This is his first start for eleven weeks so match fitness may be a concern, but he should be on-pace and have the beating of these. Match fitness is the issue with (1) NICE TIME. He ran 2^nd in two legs of last year’s Triple Crown series but hasn’t raced since the last of those ten months ago. He came through a trial in decent order in March and there is no doubting his ability. (5) WINNER YOUNG has won his latest two both at 1800M and up to class 2 level. He likes to come from well off the pace so has to be careful not to leave himself too much to do, but he should be running on strong again. (6) GIANT STEP and (2) MANDAERO other place chances.

Busan Race 5: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Trophy / KRW 150 Million

Small but high-quality field of three-year-olds. (5) SMART BOSS has won his latest three up to class 3 level and is two for two over this distance. His style has been to race handy and run on and he looks to have plenty of potential for more. (4) CLEAN ONE won his first two starts in overwhelming fashion before rounding out his juvenile campaign with a desperately close 2^nd place to Winner Clear and ahead of Smart Boss in the Listed Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo Trophy in November. He has only raced once since, a 3^rd place over 2000M at class 2 level in January and the lay-off may have been beneficial giving him every chance of going well first up. (6) GEUMA GUTTY was 4^th in that Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo and comes in off a win over 1800M at class 4 level three weeks ago. He has a bit to find on the other two but has plenty of potential. Stablemates (3) OASIS WINNER and (1) OASIS POWER the best of the rest.

Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1200M) Weight for Age / SBS Sports Sprint (KOR G3) / KRW 500 Million

The second leg of the Sprint Series. (4) VINCERO CAVALLO won the first leg, the Busan Ilbo Sprint last month, settling handy and pulling away in the closing stages. That was his third win in his latest four with his defeat being a poor effort on a slow track in the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy in February. At his best, he wins again. (5) BLACK MAMBA was sent off as favourite for the Busan Ilbo and he led early before ultimately finishing 3^rd. Munro climbs on for the first time and he can’t be ruled out. (6) CHOEGOUI KKUM won his first five races and returned from an almost six-month absence to run an excellent 4^th in the Busan Ilbo when wide all the way from gate ten. He should be fitter for that run and drawing better, he can be closer. A big run from (15) EOMA EOMA can never be ruled out while (1) SUPER FINISH has been a revelation in his last couple of starts, winning at class 1 over this distance in quick fashion in March and while maybe not a winning chance at level weights, can be close.

Busan Race 6: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / Tokyo City Keiba Trophy / KRW 150 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (11) GEUMA HUGE HIT had a hard time when sent up to Seoul for the first leg of the Queens’ Tour three weeks ago, finishing 11^th of fourteen, but she returns to a much more amenable company here. She is a three-time winner at this distance, the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she will be the favourite. (2) SOLEDAD enters with recent form reading well and she beat a couple of these on her way to 4^th place at this distance at class 3 level on March 16^th and won’t need to go much better to be in the mix here. (4) AJANTA was 5^th behind Soledad on March 16^th. In the absence of much early speed, she may be on-pace this time and can be in things a long way. (6) EUNSEONG WINNER and (8) DIA GRIT other place chances.

Seoul Race 9: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / Royal Western India Turf Club Trophy / KRW 150 Million

Fillies and mares only with a rating cap of 8.0 (8) SATANG SONYEO has only raced five times but has two wins and comes in off a 2^nd and a 3^rd at a mile and at this distance at class 3 level. Moon Se-young getting on is eye-catching and with a 5kg weight advantage on everything else in the field, Luigi Riccardi’s filly could well pull off an upset. The upset would be over (4) BLUE LEMON, who found it hard going when thrown in against the elite fillies and mares in a couple of legs of last year’s Queens’ Tour but should find this field much easier to deal with. She enters off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at 1800M and 1400M at class 2 level and won’t need to improve much on those to win here. (12) JEOMSUNI GO mixes her form but on her last start 3^rd at this distance at class 2 level has to be considered. (9) BELOTERO and (2) SEIRENE others in the frame.

Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) WHIZ CAMPAIGN is yet to win in four attempts but after an inauspicious debut has a 2^nd and two 3^rd place finishes at 1300M and 1400M. She draws well to be on-pace here and today can be the day. (3) PUNGUNJIMA assembled a record of six top three finishes from seven starts but a series of setbacks have seen her off the track since last August. She looked well when a close 2^nd in a March trial and she can put in a bold first-up showing here. (2) TROT QUEEN enters off a class and distance 3^rd on March 30^th when coming from well off the pace. She remains under a light weight and can challenge for the places again. (11) MIGHTY AMI and (6) ULTRA HIT are others to consider.

Seoul Race 11: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(4) A PURE GOOD WOMAN has been consistent across six starts so far, never finishing outside the top five. She comes back to the distance at which she got her sole win to date and drawn nicely, she can win again. (3) TAP TIER enters off a smart win at this class and distance on March 8^th when handy throughout and beating three of today’s rivals. He comes up 3.5kg in weight but that’s balanced by a nice draw, and he can be a danger again. (9) SEOBU TEUKSONG is the wildcard. She won three in a row in late summer and autumn last year but hasn’t raced since October. She didn’t offer too many clues in a March trial, and she is up in class for her return, but she has plenty of ability. (2) DREAM ISLE returns from an even longer absence but was quick in his trial and can go well first-up. (6) GEUMSE another in the frame in a competitive finale.

Author: Design