Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 4 May

Sunday May 4, 2025

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

(1) DRAGON FANTASY comes in following a best to date 2^nd over this distance on April 12^th when handy throughout and running on. From a good draw he will be on or close to the pace again and won’t need to improve much on that effort to win. The danger is (4) HAKSAN PRINCE. He is seemingly figuring things out with a 4^th and a 3^rd from his latest two, both at this distance recording the fastest time among these for the 1300M in the process. He can settle behind the speed and run on. (5) RAON PARANOMA finished off well from a long way back and a wide gate last time out. He can be further forward sooner here and may appreciate the slight step up in trip. (10) HIGH CROWN and (11) ECLIPSE TANGO others who can improve.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and (5) MORNING WONDER shapes a short price favourite. From her four starts so far she has been no worse than 4^th, including a close 2^nd place in a quick time over 1300M two starts back and in this small field she will be on pace and should win. (6) GEOLJAK CHUJKE hasn’t done much in two starts so far but there was four months between them. She led on her return on April 12^th and while she ultimately finished back in the pack, she can strip fitter here and in the absence of much early speed here, she can get an easy lead and may be in it for longer. (9) GLORY DAY was an improved 4^th at start number three on April 5^th, recording the quickest time among these for the 1200M. That’s enough for her to go in the numbers here. (8) WINNER GLORY and (1) MIRACLE SOCKS others to look out for.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) SSOARA STAR got her maiden win on March 1^st at this distance before running 3^rd from gate ten on his first try at this class on April 6^th. He draws better today and is the one to beat. (11) SMART TAKE returned from five months off on March 30^th to get her maiden win over this distance. She comes up in class but is down in weight and she may well prove fitter for that run. (8) RAON NOTHERN DANCE will need a line drawn though his latest when he led before weakening late on over 1400M. He can lead again and the cut back in trip can suit. The up in class last start maiden winners (5) BREEDO TROPHY and (3) GEUMGYEPORAN both showed in their wins that they can measure up at this level.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) CHAMP SONNY has two 3^rd places and two 5^th places from four appearances so far with the former coming at this distance and a mile. He has run both on pace and from behind and today should be his day over a limited looking set of rivals. (4) DOCTOR SOLAR was an improved 2^nd when stepped up to this trip on April 11^th, settling midfield and running on. Expect similar today and he looks the only credible danger to the favourite. (9) HEUIMANG GUNJU has a 3^rd place at 1300M two starts back and that’s enough for him to go in the numbers here. (2) MEANINGFUL TIME and (1) SUN JAE other place chances.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) SONGDANG HWANGTAEJA may be up in class without a win – or even a 2^nd place – but looks rather nicely in here in what isn’t a strong race for the level. He has three 3^rd place finishes, most recently at this distance on April 5^th, coming from off the pace, and coming down a full 4.5kg, should be right in this. (2) ECO WORLD took a couple of goes to settle at this class but was a close 2^nd at this distance on April 22^nd, racing close to the pace throughout and a similar effort will see her close here. (3) HIGH FOLLY had a hard time on his first try at this class a month ago but comes back up to the trip at which he won in March and is worth another chance. (9) KYLIE and (5) MINT PLAY other possibles.

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) VANGIE got his maiden win at start three over this distance on March 30^th, settling midfield and proving too strong. He has made progress across all his starts so far and while he is up in class, he comes down in weight and will be expected to make it two in a row. (5) HANEUL BOSS was an outsider on his latest over this distance on April 6^th, but he led for much of the way around, ultimately coming home in 4^th. He draws well to lead here and can be in things a long way again. The up in class pair of (2) ROAD TO SPRING and (3) GLOBAL HEROINE both come down in the weights and should be able to measure up at this level. (9) OCEAN ONE TAP another place chance.

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

(9) PALO ALTO had a hard time when sent to Busan for the Luna Stakes, the opening leg of the Triple Tiara, at the end of March. She could have easily got into this afternoon’s Oaks but stays in Seoul to here instead and the drop back in trip as well as a light weight make her the one to beat. (7) GEOMIBULU overcame gate ten to win at class and distance on April 6^th. An apprentice claiming 3kg means she comes in at the same weight and she can be close again. (4) SEONGSIL YEONGUNG was a winner at this class over 1700M two starts back and while he had a hard time from a wide draw on his return at the end of March, this should suit, and he can return to form. (6) BEOLGYO CHADOL and (5) CHALLENGE SOCKS others to consider for the minors.

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (8) DOCTOR HAPPY led all the way to win over this distance on April 4^th. She now has five top three finishes from her eight starts and while she is up in class, she is down slightly in weight, and she can win again. (2) SAMAKUI KKOT mixes her form but she was a class and distance winner two starts back. While she carries 4kg more than she did that day, it is balanced a little by a good draw, and she can be in the mix again. (6) TROPHY WARE is a three-time winner over this distance, including one at this class. She comes back in trip after a couple of 5^th places at 1400M and is a danger. (4) TWOTWO FLYING and (10) HANEUL JILJU are the others who will be in the market.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) ARA MOA is two starts into a comeback following seven months out and was an improved 3^rd place on March 29^th at this class and distance beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. Third up this preparation he can be peaking fitness wise and looks the one to beat. Veteran (8) THUNDER HORSE has been getting closer again in recent outings, with a 4^th place pm April 6^th. In this company he can be running on late and can aim to get closer at probably a big price. (1) GEUMAK JINJU was a winner at this class over 1200M two starts back. She had a poor day at the office when favourite on her first try at this distance eon April 6^th but can be given another chance here. (2) ILDONG BAKSU and (5) SMART SOCKS are others to look out for.

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

(4) LEMON PIE was an all the way winner at this class and distance on April 4^th. She comes up 3kg in weight but draws well, Munro stays on, and she can win again. (1) RONALD DUCK has hinted at ability across his four outings to date with his best being his latest when 4^th at 1200M. He has got a bit far back each time, but he has certainly finished off well, and the step up to 1400M can suit. (8) HUIMANG RANI won her first two starts to be rapidly promoted to this level. She led the Luna Stakes, the first leg of the Triple Tiara, before finishing back in midfield and eschews this afternoon’s Oaks in order to go here and has to be considered. (9) HYPER FORCE and (3) SEOGWI OREUM others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 7: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Competitive race. (2) COLGIN struggled a little on his first two tries at this class but came back into form with a 3^rd place over the mile on April 12^th when settling midfield and running on well. He holds a win over this distance and from a good draw, today can be his day again. (9) NANO MASIN took sixteen starts to break through, but he has now won two of his last three, both at this distance and most recently at class 4 on April 5^th. That brings him up in grade here, but he comes down 2kg in weight and he can be a big danger. (3) HAWK PRINCE has come from off the pace to run 4^th in both his latest two and can be there or thereabouts again. (7) GEUMBIT CHEONHA and (1) WHIZ RUNNER others in the frame.

Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Competitive race. (8) LAST DRAGON returned in January from seven months out and has shown steady progress across three starts back, most recently when 3^rd over 1400M on April 4^th when coming from off the pace. A four-time winner before the layoff, the step up to a mile could be what he needs to return to the winner’s circle. (2) GREAT ONE was a good winner at this class over 1800M on April 4^th. The veteran carries a big weight for what will be his fiftieth start, but three of his five wins have come at this trip, and he is not to be dismissed. (4) WIDAEHAN SEONTAEK has placed twice in three appearances at this level and will be competitive again. The up in class (1) YEONYEIN, along with (7) GLORY CROWN are among plenty of others with at least placing chances.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) NICE FORCE ran 4^th on debut before striking through at start two at this class and distance on March 22^nd, leading all the way. He has his fair share of weight but can lead again and can win again. (2) GWANAKSAN LEO got his sole win to date over this distance last December and enters having overcome gate eleven to sit handy to the speed and then run 2^nd in a similar race to this on March 29^th with a couple of today’s rivals behind him. He is up 2.5kg in weight, but that’s balanced by a much better draw, and he can be a threat. (5) ULTRA MANGCHI has run 3^rd in both his latest two at this class and distance and can match or better those today. (4) SAINT RUNNER and first timer starter (1) USEUNGHAL GYEOLSIM are others to consider.

Busan Race 6: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / Korean Oaks (KOR G2) / KRW 700 Million

The second leg of the Triple Tiara. The top four home from the 1^st leg, the Luna Stakes over a mile at the end of March return and that day’s winner (7) FANTASTIC VALUE will be the favourite. A winner up to class 4 level, she tried today’s distance prior to the Luna and ran a competitive 4^th at class 3. She won the Luna very comfortably, settling midfield and running on, and she is the one to beat. A newcomer on the trail is (3) ONEULDO SMILE. She debuted a winner last August but didn’t reappear until this January. She is four for four and clearly of high potential although there is the caveat that she has never tried further than 1200M. (6) RISING MO and (1) BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN were 2^nd and 3^rd in the Luna, and they can be in the mix again. (4) CATCH THE DREAM is a potential one at an each-way price.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(5) REAL DEAL is starting to look very much as though he actually is, with three wins from seven including last time out over 1200M at this class. He tackles 1400M for the first time but there is no reason why it can’t suit, and he can score again here, probably from on the pace in this company. (1) CAPTAIN TIME will need a line drawn through his latest over a mile when showing prominently before weakening. He comes back to a trip at this he has a win and four placings from six tries and drawn well, he should be a different prospect. (10) HANGANG CAPTAIN enters off back-to-back wins over this distance. That brings him up in class but down in weight and he can measure up. (9) BLACK MOTION and (3) HANURI others to consider.

Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

He is a twelve-race maiden but (2) CHANGJOUI ACHIM really should be winning this. He enters off three consecutive runner-up finishes, most recently on March 29^th at this class and distance, with three of today’s rivals behind him. He only comes up half a kilo in weight, he draws well and surely goes one better. If he does manage to find one too quick again, it might be (6) PROCEED. He ran 3^rd in that March 29^th race, showing on pace throughout and he has won at 1800M before. (4) LUCKY BOOM was well back in the March 29^th race but has a better gate today and has won at two turns over 1700M. (5) SUMMER PARTY and (8) SUPER THUNDER are others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 11: Class 2 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

Two last start winners are the standouts here and they have the two widest gates. (10) SINUI EREUM scored at this class and distance on March 29^th leading all the way and continuing a consistent run of form that has seen him in the first three in each of his last six. If he can navigate his way to the front, he will be hard to beat and an apprentice claiming 3kg is what gives him the edge here. (11) ELDORADO GANGNAM won at this class over a mile on April 5^th settling midfield and running on. He has won from the front too and while Sinui Ereum beat him when the pair finished 2^nd and 3^rd at this distance, and he has the steadier of a big weight, he can be a danger. (6) GEOLJAK ONE ran a fair 6^th in the Listed Donga Ilbo for fillies and mares in March and under a light weight can be competitive here. (2) COWBOY TANGO and (5) THUNDER DREAM also warrant consideration.

Author: Design