Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 7 May

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(7) JANGSAN LEMON ran like one on debut, knocking up very quickly having been in a decent position. He had previously won a trial in good order and a couple of months on from that first time out performance, he can be given another chance in less than intimidation company. The probable favourite is (8) UNJU GLOBAL. That’s based on her last start 2^nd place over this distance when she led early and rallied again late on. She carries the same weight here and from a wider gate, may be ridden a little more patiently this time. Seo Seung-un rode Jangsan Lemon on debut but is on (1) FOLK ROCK here. The filly lines up for just the second time, having run 6^th of ten on debut behind Unju Oreum on April 2^nd having begun slowly and run on. She should have come on for that run and can get closer here. (5) VICTOR BASIUM and at a push, (3) SUPER KANEL are others who could improve.

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

Fillies and mares only here. (8) RAON EMPIRE has started as the odds-on favourite every time she has raced and will probably do so again here. True, she has been beaten on three of those occasions, but she has never run worse than 4^th and in this company, the half-sister to Raon The Fighter can settle behind the early pace and should prove too strong. (1) GREEN VIVACE ran out a winner on debut on March 25^th, making all over this distance. The time wasn’t fast, but the track wasn’t quick that day and while she is up in class, she draws the same gate and can step up. (2) SARYEONI TYCHE remains a maiden but comes up in class after four near misses. She can sit just behind the speed here and can run into a place again. (5) LEGAL HIGH and the up in class last start winner (4) BARAMSAL others to keep safe.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(6) POWER SOUND comes up in class following two runner-up finishes from three starts spread across eight months, most recently on April 9^th when leading for most of the way and only being denied in the closing stages in a quick race. He should be competitive at this level, he comes down in the weights, and third-up this preparation, he can be peaking fitness wise. (8) MIGHTY STORM has been working back into form with a 5^th at 1400M and most recently a 3^rd at this distance from his latest two. He likes to settle back and run on so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he can be a serious contender. (4) SANGSANGGEUISANG comes up in class following his maiden win at 1200M on April 14^th. He goes best on pace or handy and should be in this a long way from a good draw. (3) DAEHOMA and (1) HAVANA JANE the other two minor money hopes.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) HIDDEN BRAIN is the one to beat here. After winning on debut in December, it took her a couple of goes to get to grips with this level, but she comes in off a smart 2^nd over 1300M on April 9^th when handy all the way. This is her first try at 1400M, but she ran a solid 5^th at a mile so it shouldn’t be a problem and from a good draw, she will be the early leader and can go all the way. (4) HUNTER BLADE comes up in class having secured his maiden win at the fifth time of asking on March 5^th. He too will be on pace and can measure up at this level. (8) MUJANG hasn’t posted the most impressive times, but she did what he was asked to do well enough when grinding out a win over 1200M on a wet track a month ago. She is up in class and in distance and there could be more improvement to come. (7) TOUR QUEEN and (5) V QUEEN are others who can place.

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

It’s fair to say that (10) FANTASTIC DAY has mixed his form so far and he only managed to finish in midfield in his first try at this class over 1400M on April 7^th. He comes back in trip today and despite the wide draw and the slight rise in weight, that could be key to him getting back in the winner’s circle. (7) OK STAR comes up in class having secured his second win at start number seven on April 2^nd when on pace throughout. That was in a quick time over 1200M, and he has already posted fast times at this distance too. He should be a big threat. Also up in class following a last start win is (8) GLOBAL SKY. That came at 1200M in his first attempt at class 5 so he comes rapidly up two grades, but he carries a light weight, and he can measure up. (9) NAMED and (3) HANEUL GANGJA the other logical contenders to contest the placings.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) K N SKETCH can mix his form, but he can be backed to return to wining ways here. He comes in off a 2^nd place at class and distance on April 8^th when settling right back and finishing well but running out of track. From the inside gate, Moon Se-young can pick his spot and he can prove too strong. That will mean reversing the form on (3) ROYAL TAERI, who won that April 8^th race by half a length at odds of 37/1. The big price was warranted as he had never finished any better than 4^th but while he does come up in weight, he draws well and there is no reason he can’t go close again. (2) ARFONS doesn’t exactly win out of turn but nor does he often run a bad race. His recent form has been very consistent and from a good barrier, he will be at the front of the race from the start and won’t be far away at the finish either. (9) NAMSAN JUMONG and (10) PINE FARM others in the hunt.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(11) DOCTOR KHALIFA is up in class following two runner-up finishes from his latest three starts. The draw is not ideal, but he comes down significantly in weight and with an absence of convincing recent form in this race, that’s enough to put him in the hunt. One who does have a solid recent record is (9) GREAT ONE. After a win over a mile at class 5 level two starts back, he ran 4^th over that same distance on his first try at this level on April 16^th. He carries a light weight and has a smart finish on him, and he will be a danger. (3) DOCTOR PERSIA has plenty of experience at this level including a 3^rd place at this distance in February. Under today’s conditions he comes down in weight to the same mark as when he ran that 3^rd, and he should be in the mix. In various orders, they will be everybody’s top three as the form really drops off after that but (6) GEUMA GOOD POINT and (10) LUCKY BREAK could perhaps snap recent disappointing streaks.

Seoul Race 8: Class Open (Rated 80 or less) Sports Chosun Trophy L (2000M) Special Weight B / KRW 200 Million

While its Listed status doesn’t really mean much, the big prize has attracted a good field. (7) TIZ BAROWS is the one to beat. He was 4^th in last year’s Derby and has won two of his latest three, both at 1800M up to class 3 level. He ran fairly in the Minister’s Cup over this distance last summer and he can win this. (8) HANGANGUI GISANG will be second favourite. He won his first four races and while he has started to find things more testing, he is still yet to finish any worse than 2^nd, most recently at 1800M at class 2 level in February. He likes to lead, and he stretches out to 2000M for the first time, but if he gets the trip and if the wet track is favouring front-runners, he’ll be hard to pass. (5) CHOEGO BLACK was a class 3 winner at 1800M two starts back and with Moon Se-young getting back on, he will have his supporters. He likes to settle back and run on, and the extended trip can suit. (6) QUEENS TOUR has won at this distance at class 2 level and while she can mix her form, she can’t be dismissed. (2) NAMSAN SIDAE another firmly in the hunt.

Busan Race 6: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Tricky race. (11) UNJU HERO came close to winning last time out over 1800M, striking the front late on but ultimately going down by half a length. He comes back to a mile here and while he carries his fair share of weight, this could be his day. (8) ROAD TO V has races twice at this distance and struggled both times. The most recent of those was six starts back though, and his recent efforts at 1400M, including a win at this class in March, suggest he may be ready for another crack. He will be on pace and surely in this a long way. (1) MENIFEE SONG similarly can be ready to try the extended trip again. He comes in here under a light weight and from a good gate. (4) I WILL BE FREE and (9) RAON THE BOSS are among others with claims in a race any of the eleven could conceivably win.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(5) K N UNDERKING comes in following recent excellent form over a mile including a win two starts back at class 4 level. He ran on well for 3^rd at this class last time out on April 2^nd and comes up to two turns proper for the first time under a light weight, well drawn, and with excellent claims. (8) ON POINT was very much on point when winning at class and distance on April 15^th. It was the first time in a long time that he had been ridden to the lead from the start so expect similar tactics today and while he comes up in weight, he certainly won’t be allowed off at 17/1 this time. (9) WINNER BLUE was well back behind On Point last time out, but he comes down in the weights here and should be running on well late on. (2) NONSTOP GISANG and (6) YEOLRIN MUN other money possibles.

Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(8) HIGH GRAND has won his latest two in fine style and fast times, both over 1300M and both times sitting handy and finishing off well. That does mean he comes up in class for the second race in a row, but he is nicely weighted, and a hat-trick can’t be ruled out. (4) RAON AMERICAN capitulated in the final furlong last time out on April 9^th having led. If we go on his two starts back effort when runner-up, also at class and distance, then he can be given another chance here. (6) THUNDER FLASH was the winner of that April 9^th race at odds of 19/1. That was his maiden win at the eighteenth attempt, and he may not repeat here but despite a 3.5kg weight rise, he can be in the placing mix. (9) HUIMANG CHAMP and (7) TAEYANGTAGO are among others to keep safe.

Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

Competitive class 1 but (4) DAEHAN JILJU is favoured to return to form. He was 4^th in last year’s Korea Sprint before running 2^nd to Eoma Eoma at this distance in Busan. 1400M would seem to be his ideal go, and forma good draw and a fair weight, he can win. (1) WOW WOW won the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy in January before running 2^nd to Raon The Spurt at this distance in March. He found himself overmatched in the Busan Ilbo Sprint last month at level weights with the likes of Raon The Fighter but should be far more comfortable here. (7) NIMUI HYANGGI comes up to class 1 for the first time after a good win at the distance on April 15^th. He has run some very good times at the distance and has gone well in the wet. He can leave himself too much to do but may appeal at an each-way price. (3) CLEAN UP HAPPY and (2) IRON SOCKS other place chances.

Author: Melissa