Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 27 April

Sunday April 27, 2025

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

After two ordinary outings, (10) NURI JILJU led at start number three on March 22^nd, ultimately finishing 2^nd. Despite the wide draw, she will almost certainly lead again here, and she won’t need to improve much, if at all, to beat this limited set of opponents and her odds will reflect that. (3) HYEWONYONGMA is the only other one to have placed. She mixes her form but the 2^nd and 3^rd on her record, combined with a draw that should see her on the early speed, will be enough to make her the clear second pick. (8) SAINT WINNER may be on the right trajectory with a 4^th place at start number three on March 29^th and she should be aiming to better that here. Debut-maker (1) SLING STAR along with (9) SSAK DANAEUN, who has been back to trial since a poor debut, are others in the minor money hunt.

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

(5) GIANT BOSS enters looking to complete a hat-trick of wins having scored twice at 1300M, most recently at this class on March 23^rd when racing handy throughout. He comes up 3kg in weight but got his maiden win carrying just 1kg less and he can score again here. (8) GEUMA FOREMOST is yet to win in seven attempts but has never finished outside the top five. He has a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his two tries at this distance, the latter at this class last time out, and he should be there or thereabouts again, coming from off the pace. (11) NURI CHEONWANG was a winner at this class over 1300M at big odds two starts back before running 4^th on his latest. He does his best work late so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can be a danger. (7) TURBO CHARGE and (2) CANVASEN GO others to consider.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(8) GEUMSEONG BOSS stepped up to this trip for the first time on March 30^th and beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 4^th place, coming from off the pace. He can have come on for that experience and has every chance of winning here. (6) HEEMANGBAND enters off three consecutive 4^th place finishes. She has never finished any better than that, but she steps up to two turns for the first time and the way she has finished off her races suggest that the increased trip can suit. (10) GWANAKSAN GLOBAL has similarly finished no better than 4^th. He enters having been 5^th behind Geumseong Boss on March 30^th and while he doesn’t get an apprentice claim this time, he does get Moon Se-young and he can be a danger. (4) X FACTOR and (9) BEST SHARK the other chances.

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

Two standouts here and they have drawn the inside two gates. (1) STARTMAN has a 3^rd and a 4^th from his two starts so far, showing close to the pace both times. From the inside he will be on pace and can go all the way. The danger is (2) TIP TAP. After an inauspicious debut last summer, he didn’t appear again until March 23^rd, but he ran well, settling midfield and finishing off in 4^th place over this distance. He can strip fitter for that run and can go closer today. (8) SKY BOY too should be fitter for his debut on March 7^th when he was a fair 4^th over 1200M. He was doing his best work late, and the slight step up in trip can suit. (9) HIGH LEVEL and (10) WONDERFUL TEAM, the latter racing for the first time since last August but who looked well enough in a trial, are other placing hopes.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) CHOEGANG GOLD was a very rare debut maker over 1700M on March 30^th, but the plan came together when he led all the way to win. He comes up in class here and slightly in trip, but neither should be a problem and down in weight and well-drawn, he can lead all the way again. (8) FASHION STAR is up in class following two 3^rd places and a 2^nd at class 6 level. She hasn’t tackled further than 1300M, but she has been finishing off her races very well so the step up in trip can be exactly what she needs and under a light weight she can be competitive. (5) MIGHTY BOM has a 2^nd and a 3^rd in two tries at this class and distance, most recently beating three of these on March 29^th. He comes in under the same weight and can beat plenty again. (1) TAEPYEONGMU and (6) PLAN B others in the frame.

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) B.K DANCING GIRL got her maiden win at this distance in January and then, following a challenging introduction to this class in February when weakening over 1400M, she returned to this trip on March 23^rd and finished a close 4^th having led for much of the way. Franco climbs on for the first time, she should lead again, and she can go all the way. (8) ROAD TO ACE led all the way at start two to get his maiden win and then ran a decent 4^th when coming from midfield at this class over 1300M) on February 7^th. He comes in fresh after eleven weeks off and back at 1200M, he can be a danger. (11) GRAND DREAM enters off a 3^rd place at this class and distance on April 4^th. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but a similar effort should see him close. (1) DONGBANG JEONSA and the up in class (4) GREAT MARU are others to consider for the minors.

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

Fillies and mares only here. (11) PURGE STEP got her maiden win on debut over 1300M in January and has since run 4^th and 2^nd in two efforts at this class and distance, most recently on March 29^th. The wide draw shouldn’t matter as she can settle behind the pace and run on and she looks the one to beat. (9) RED DRAGON had an abysmal performance all around when favourite at class and distance on March 16^th, parting company with her jockey in the parade ring and then being restive at the start before proceeding to run very badly. She had looked very good in her two prior efforts though with a win and a 2^nd so she gets another chance here. (8) KARA K is yet to win but is up in class following a few near misses and she can be competitive under a light weight. Up in class last start winners (7) SUHYANG MIIN and (4) ALL NUT others to consider.

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

(5) WIND TIME made all to win over 1200M at start number four on March 21^st. That win had been coming as he had been making steady progress in each prior outing and while he is up in class and in distance today, he can repeat. (4) RAON THE LEGEND came from off the pace to run 4^th at this class and distance on March 14^th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. She stays under a light weight, she draws well, and she shapes as the main danger. (1) WORLD PINK CAT has come from a long way back to win her latest two, both at this distance and most recently at this class on February 14^th. She is up 4kg in weight but comes in fresh following ten weeks off and a hat-trick isn’t impossible. (12) JULGEOUN DONGHANG and (11) SKY SEUNG are among other placing chances.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(7) CHOWON DOLPUNG got too far back last time but at the start prior she was the winner of a filly only test at this class and distance when settling just behind the speed. Moon Se-young, who has won on her twice, returns to the mount and while there is no doubt she mixes her form, she can win here. (5) GLOBAL SERVE is yet to win in eight attempts but has been consistent and has only missed the top five once. In this company she can be expected to be on the early pace and to be a danger. (2) DANCING GANGJA enters off a close 2^nd place at this class and distance on March 23^rd. From the same good draw, he can get a forward position early and be in this a long way. (3) ROYAL BEST and (11) ORANGE TIME are others to consider for the minors.

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

(7) EL CAZADOR is yet to win in four attempts but has two runner-up finishes, most recently at this class over 1300M on March 30^th when he beat three of today’s rivals. He tackles the mile for the first time, and he should be on or close to the speed, and there is no reason why it can’t suit. (10) WONDAEHAN KKUM didn’t do much in four starts as s juvenile, including an unsuccessful spin around in a Listed race, but he seemed to benefit from almost three months out – or very possibly from having been gelded during it – because when he returned on February 28^th at a mile, he was a winner. He carries an additional 3kg today but can strip fitter and can win again. (5) AMAZING WORLD ran 6^th behind EL Cazador last time but does have a front-running 3^rd on his record over 1400M. Lightly weighted, he is another for who the step up to a mile can be a positive. The returning (4) UNJU WINNER, along with (8) HUIMANG CANDY are others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Competitive race. We’ll take a chance on (4) OKCHEON WIN STAR, who has a 2^nd and a 4^th place at this class at 1700M and 1600M before being thrown into the Luna Stakes at Busan, the first leg of the Triple Tiara where she finished down the field. She comes back into shallower waters at a light weight and can win. (8) TRAUM KING is seeking a third consecutive win following successes at 1200M and most recently at this class and distance on March 22^nd. He comes up 3kg in weight but can settle behind the speed and a hat-trick is possible (10) RAON JEWELSTONE is a winner of three from four, most recently at this class over 1400M on March 29^th. This is much tougher, but he may make for some appeal at an each-way price. (6) CHOEGO GAME and (9) MK LEE are others in the frame.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) STEALTH MODE has been quietly working his way back towards another win and he enters having run 2^nd in both his latest two at 1800M and a mile, leading for much of the way both times. He comes up 2.5kg in weight, but that’s balanced by a better gate to get to the lead, and he can go all the way. (8) POSTMAN similarly enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes, in his case both at this class and distance. He too has his fair share of weight but he can be on pace from the start and can deliver today. (7) ASTIN MARINE had a hard time on his first try at this class, but he is a winner at this distance and under a light weight may make for some appeal at an each-way or better price. (9) DAESEUNGNIJA and (6) BEST CHAMP others in the placing hunt.

Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1400M) Special Weight A / Ttukseom Cup (KOR-G2) / KRW 700 Million

The second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer Series for fillies and mares. (13) CROWN HAMSEONG is a winner of eight from twelve, including the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy over 1200M in February, which she led from gate to wire. She tried to repeat the trick in the first leg of this series, the Donga Ilbo on March 23^rd, ultimately finishing 2^nd. The drop back to 1400M can suit, Moon Se-young has won on her six times, and the only concern is the wide draw. That wide draw may be enough to send off (2) GLADIUS as favourite. She’s been a reverlastion in winning two class 2 races across the turn of the year and then winning the Donga Ilbo, racing handy and cruising past Crown Hamseong late. The 1400M is no problem as she has two wins and a 2^nd from three goes at it, and it would ne surprise were she to win again. (14) JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG is the defending champion and while she hasn’t run since finishing off last year in disappointing fashion, well back in the Breeders’ Cup Queen having been found to have bled, she looked well in winning two trials in March and her quality can see her close. Her rival from last year (5) WONDERFUL SLEW struggled against the boys in the Herald Business last month but will find this more to her liking. (7) RAON FOREST another who is rarely far away.

Busan Race 6: Class 2 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(5) BACKTOTHELEGEND won at this class and distance in January, leading all the way and beating plenty of these and has since followed up with a 3^rd and a 2^nd, most recently on March 7^th, again with some of today’s rivals behind him. He remains under a light weight, draws well to lead, and he will be a warm favourite to win. (7) YEONGGWANGUIFIRST beat Backtothelegend when recording the second of three consecutive runner-up finishes leading into this. He can get a bit far back in his races but has a powerful finish and will be challenging late again. (11) LOVE KING IJI was 2^nd behind Backtothelegend two starts back and then recorded another runner-up finishes at this class and distance on February 7^th. He has the challenge of the widest gate and has his fair share of weight, but he can be there or thereabouts again. (8) CATALINA MARINE and (3) DOCTOR CAPTAIN are the other leading place chances.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(4) MIGHTY JOY is yet to finish any worse than 4^th and registered his second win on March 23^rd when scoring from on the pace at this class and distance. He comes up 4kg in weight but draws well again and can win again. (7) DREAMER WHIZ obliged comfortably when sent off as favourite over this distance on March 16^th, racing handy throughout. He is up in class but comes down 4.5kg in weight, and he can measure up in this company. (11) DUSON OPEN finished midfield last time out but ran 2^nd at class and distance two starts back and under a light weight, can defy the widest gate to challenge for a place. (3) MIRACLE HANAM is one for one and while that was all the way back last July, can be considered first-up here even though he didn’t offer man clues in a March trial. (1) WORLD PEOPLE another for the minors.

Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRE 60 Million

(3) SMART MUSIC won three in a row to finish off his juvenile campaign, up to this class and 1400M. His only outing so far this term came in Seoul’s Classic trial where he finished a fair 6^th of thirteen and while he didn’t make the Triple Crown races, this looks a more than winnable assignment for him. (10) CHEONJANGSA and (2) LONDON VICTORY came home in 2^nd and 4^th respectively when they raced each other at this class over 1800M on March 23^rd. Both have won over this trip before and both shape up as potential dangers here. (8) SEONGEUN CROWN and (4) POWER ETCHED, the latter needing a line drawn though his latest, are others very much in the placing frame.

Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

This is a hybrid class 1 and class 2 race with a rating band of 75 to 90. That brings (3) FIRE POWER right into play under a light weight. He has won once and placed four times at this distance and was close 4^th last time out at regular class 2 when carrying 3kg more than today. He can win. (2) MONEY CROWN, like a couple of others here, was overmatched in the Herald Business last month. A class 2 winner at 1800M in January, he likes to get a long way back in his races and run on and he can finish strongly. (10) MAUIWAY has won his latest two at this distance and at 1800M, most recently in a similar race to this on March 30^th with a few of today’s rivals behind him. He is up 5kg in weight, but a hat-trick is not to be ruled out. (4) GANGPUNGMA and (11) MIGHTY CHIP other possibles.

Author: Design