Korea Racing Busan Preview – 17 March

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Maidens. (10) K GOLD BAR comes in having beaten three of today’s rivals with an on pace run over a mile on February 26^th. That wasn’t his first good result and while he draws a touch wide here, he should be able to work forward to be on or close to the speed and may well prove too good. The main danger looks to be (6) WISE BOY. He very nearly led from gate to wire over this distance on January 6^th, ultimately being overhauled late on. That marked a change in tactics as previously he had been settled back, so a repeat looks likely here and he can be close again coming back off a ten-week layoff. (7) WONDERFUL IMPACT could be an improver at a probably each-way price. She has a 5^th and a 7^th from her two starts so far but she was on pace over a mile last time out and with the benefit of an apprentice claim, is down significantly in the weights. (2) STAR DRAGON and (1) SAVAGE GIRL among others who can enter the calculations.

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

(12) MULTI HIT led every step of the way to record his maiden win over 1200M on February 12^th, crossing the line five-lengths in front of his nearest rival with a further six-lengths back to the 3^rd placegetter. He is up in class here and the draw doesn’t do him any favours, but the manner of that win suggests there is more to come and he won’t need to improve much to win again.  (11) THEIA also comes up in class following a maiden win at her latest outing in ana ll-filly race over this distance on February 26^th. The time wasn’t quick but she scored by a full four-lengths and there is no reason why she can’t measure up. She beat B.K. Gallop who is the probable favourite in race 1 on today’s card so that may provide a guide as to how strong that race actually was. (9) CHEONGMA POWER returned from nine months out to run a solid class and distance 3^rd on February 3^rd. She should strip fitter for that run and can be firmly in the frame here. (8) BLUE SKY and the up in class (2) SAEKDAL FIGHTER, the latter ideally drawn and weighted, are others to keep safe.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 40 Million

A small field tackles the two turns here and (4) WONDERFUL CHANCE will be a warm favourite. He is up in both class and in distance having scored over a mile on February 26^th when settling handy before striking the front turning for home and running on strongly. The set weight scale here does him no favours but he appears to have plenty more scope for further development and the additional furlong can suit. (6) WONDERFUL FILE enters off a useful 4^th place over a mile last time out on February 24^th, albeit well back behind a good winner. She draws much better than she did on her only previous try at this distance when 5^th behind a couple of today’s rivals, and she can be in the mix here. (9) DALLILAEYO remains winless but has only missed out on the top-five on one occasion. He comes up in class and in distance following back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1300M, but he has previously run well at a mile and the extended trop can suit. (2) ROCK AND ROLL and (3) CENTUM THOR are others in the hunt.

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

All but a handful go to post with a chance in this competitive handicap. Without too much conviction, we’ll go with (11) WITH SUN, who is rapidly up in class having won two of his first three starts, most recently at class 5 level over 1400M on January 29^th when settling midfield and running on. His maiden win came when settling right back. The mile should be to his liking, he carries a light weight and the wide draw shouldn’t be an issue. (4) HWANGU FIGHTER is also rapidly up in class having won two on the bounce, most recently a fast race over 1400M on February 10^th. He comes down in the weights, draws well and just like With Sun, the mile can suit. (1) TAPIT WONDERFUL came from off the pace to run 2^nd at big odds at class and distance on February 12^th. He comes down in the weights with an apprentice claim and should be kept safe here. (12) DOCTOR TIFFANY and (3) RUNNING POWER among plenty more with good chances.

Busan Race 7: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Two standouts here and they look very evenly matched. Die to the draw and the weight, we’ll tentatively side with (4) CHOICE RUN. A winner of four from seven, he is rapidly up in class after back-to-back wins at this distance in his latest two, leading all the way on both occasions and stopping the clock in fast times. From a great gate he should be leading again and once in front, he may be hard to pass. (9) GEUMA PASSIONATE has won four from five and enters having beaten plenty of these on his way to victory at this class and distance on February 17^th when stalking the leader early before taking command in the straight. He does come up 3.5kg as a result, but he has every chance of winning again. It would be a surprise if those two don’t fill out the quinella, but (6) SANGSEUNG BOY has won at this class and while his latest two have seen him beaten by a couple of today’s rivals, he can return to form here. (2) SPICE ECTON and (7) HUIMANG PUNCH are other placing chances.

Busan Race 8: Class 2 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

A very competitive finale. (10) DOCTOR CAESAR was an emphatic seven-length class and distance winner on February 5^th when he drew exactly the same gate as he has today but found his way to the front and led all the way. He comes up a full 5.5kg in the weights as a result and he may need a touch of luck at the start, but he can win again. The principal danger is (4) YEONGGWANGUILEGEND. A winner of four from eleven, he comes up in class after a front running win over this distance on February 24^th. He is nicely weighted, he gets a great draw, and he should be going very close. (8) AGAIN TOUCH has a poor day at the office when sent off as favourite over 1400M for her first try at this class on February 19^th when she led but weakened. She comes back in trip today and should find it a more suitable assignment. (6) ACE KILLER and (2) CATCH THE VICTORY are others very much in the hunt.

Author: Melissa