Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 15 June

Sunday June 15, 2025

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (6) WINNER GLORY returned from over three months out to run a much-improved 2^nd at this distance on May 4^th, racing handy throughout. Expect similar tactics today and she won’t need to progress very much to win this.  (7) RAON THE CAVIAR enters off back-to-back 3^rd places at this distance, racing handy both times. She’ll be behind the speed again and can be in the finish. She will need to overturn form on (1) CRAZY MARI, who beat her as the pair finished 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in a similar race to this on April 12^th. Crazy Mari returns for the first time since, and she should be in the mix. (4) LADYBIRD and (2) SOON LIKE others who can compete for the minors.

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

(6) VINCERO CUE had been working his way to his maiden win, and it duly arrived over this distance on April 12^th when on pace throughout. He comes up in class but is down in weight and in fresh after nine weeks out, he can measure up. It’s been a while since (4) SEGWANG JILJU got his maiden win, but he has been coming back into form recently, and was a front-running 2^nd last start at this class and distance. He will be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (5) QUEEN ABIGAIL enters off a 3^rd place at this class and distance on May 17^th, coming from off the pace and she should be there or thereabouts again.  (9) ALL NUT and (10) SAMGIM DAEPYO are the other minor money chances.

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

(1) GOLD QUEENS has been a beaten odds-on favourite in both of her latest outings at 1200M and 1300M, running 2^nd both times. She is yet to finish any worse than 4^th in her five career starts and from another good draw, she can make it third time lucky.  (2) HAKSAN CAIRO is yet to win in ten attempts but has never been outside of the top five. He has a 2^nd and a 4^th in two tries at this distance and while he may once more find one too quick, he can be in the mix again. (4) MAX PARTY has a win and a 2^nd from his last two starts and while that means he carries his fair share of weight, he can be a danger once more. (8) GRACE ROUTE and (3) VINCERO KING other place chances.

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

After doing nothing on debut, (9) VICTORY STORY has run 4^th in both his subsequent starts, both at 1200M and in contrasting styles. Munro stays in, the slight step up in trip can suit, and he has as good a chance as any here. (4) LION MAGIC has finished between 2^nd and 5^th in each of his four starts so far and has actually beaten Victory Story as well as a couple of the others who go here. He can settle behind the pace and big a big danger late on. There is one debut-maker. (8) POWER STONE led all the way in a May trial, stopping the clock in a fair time, and if he brings that form to the races, he can be competitive first up. (6) JUST SHINY and (11) GOLDEN CARD are the others to consider.

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

(9) ACAPEL returned from five months out on May 11^th and duly won over 1300M, settling midfield and running on. She comes up 2.5kg in weight, but she should strip fitter for that run, the 1400M can suit, and she can follow up here. (8) STUNNING FLATTER is the main danger. Two starts back in February, he beat three of these on his way to a front-running 2^nd at this class and distance and then ran 5^th in slightly stiffer company on his return on May 18^th. He has the fastest final furlong average time in the field and will be running on strong. (4) POWER BAND has a win and a 3^rd from her two tries at this distance, the latter coming at this class on May 31^st. She makes a quick return and can be in the mix again. (1) J ONE POWER and (5) WONDERFUL SPIRIT others in the frame.

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) BLAZING MAN was a class and distance winner two starts back before running a disappointing 7^th when stepped up to 1800M last time out, starting badly and never really look like being a threat. He comes back to a trip at which he has two wins and two places, he draws much better and even gets a slight weight drop. (3) RAON THE MASKE is up in class having won over 1400M on May 11^th when on pace all the way. He is up to a mile for the first time but is down in weight and can more than measure up. (5) ROCK AND ROLL had gone a bit cold but hinted at a return to form when 3^rd at this distance on May 30^th. He likes to come from off the pace and can be a danger late here. (7) STELL LUNA and (6) YEONGGWANGUIHAMSUNG others to consider on a place line.

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

(3) FASHION STAR is yet to win in five outings but has never been any worse than 5^th, most recently finishing in that position on April 27^th coming from off the pace and beating a couple of these in the process. He has a smart finish on him and can prove too strong for this lot. (11) P N S NALA beat three of today’s rivals when 2^nd at this class and distance on May 17^th. He was ridden much further forward than usual that day and while that won’t be so easy today from the widest gate, he warrants respect. Veteran (7) BLUE INDY hinted at a return to form when 3^rd over 1700M on May 25^th and can aim to match that here. (4) PERFECT GUN MAN and (10) GRATITUDE others in line for the minors.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (7) CHOEGANG TA BONG was a solid all the way winner at this distance in a filly only maiden on May 11^th. She comes up in class, but this is not a strong race, and she can repeat. (5) BREEDO MIRACLE had a poor day at the office when starting slowly on her first try at this class on May 23^rd. Instead, we’ll go on her previous two runner-up finishes that saw her promoted to this class and give her another chance. Like Breedo Miracle, (6) KKEUTPAN YEOGEOL is also still a maiden, in her case after six attempts that also include a pair of runner-up finishes at this class.  In this company she can be on pace and can be a danger. (8) MAGIC SWEETIE and (2) DREAMMA others in the frame.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(10) MUSKET DAY is a winner of three from six so far, most recently at this class and distance on May 11^th when racing handy throughout and proving too strong. He comes up 3kg in the weights, but shapes as the one to beat again. (11) BIG SMART has been 2^nd in both her latest two, both at this class, at 1800M and 1700M. She continues under a very light weight and while she has the challenge of the widest gate, she can be a danger. (1) ACRO MARINE was a very close 2^nd at this class over 1700M on Jine 1^st. He makes a quick return here and can be finishing strongly again. (3) BLOOD MOUNTAIN and (4) SEONGEUN CROWN others to look out for.

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

(10) WONDERFUL JONES was 4^th in Busan’s Classic Trial before finishing down the field in the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Triple Crown. He ran a solid 3^rd at this class and distance on his return to shallower waters on May 16^th and despite the wide draw, he can return to winning ways today. (5) TANTAN DAERO remains a maiden but comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1300M. He comes down 3kg in weight and can be close. Nothing else enters off an especially positive last start. (4) WANNABE WITH YOU was 2^nd at this class and distance two starts back and that’s enough to have her in the mix here. (1) DAEGIL HERO and (3) STRIDING MAN others who are better than their latest efforts suggest.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) GOOD CHOEGANG got a long way back last time at this class and distance on Paril 26^th before running on for a close 5^th. Maia climbs on for the first time and with a better start, he has every chance this time around. (3) GLORY YEONGGWANG is yet to win in four outings but enters off a smart 3^rd place at 1200M on May 18^th when settling midfield and running on. The step back up to 1400M can suit and he shapes as the main danger. (10) SAVANNAH GUN came from well back to run 2^nd on debut over 1200M on May 4^th. The Gunnevera filly should strip fitter for that run and can appreciate the jump in distance. (4) HWASANGWIHWAN and (2) BICHUICA others in the placing hunt.

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

(3) BREEDO ODIN beat three of these on his way to 2^nd place on his first try at this distance on May 23^rd, racing handy throughout. He comes up 1.5kg in the weights, but he draws well for Munro to pick his spot, and he can go one better here. (2) EOHWADUNGDUNG is, like Breedo Odin, still a maiden, but enters off a smart 2^nd place at this class and distance on May 9^th. He too draws very nicely and looks ready to make his breakthrough. To do that, he’ll need to overturn the form on (4) VICE ROYAL, who won that May 9^th race, coming from off the pace at a big price. It shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise as he was a 2^nd over 1400M at this class two starts back, and while up in the weights, can be close again. (6) FANTASTIC DREAM and (11) UNJU WINNER others in the frame.

Seoul Race 8: Class Open (2000M) Special Weight A / Minister’s Cup (KOR G2) / KRW 700 Million

The final leg of the Triple crown for three-year-olds. (6) OASIS BLUE became the first KRA Cup Mile winner since Power Blade in 2016 to win the Korean Derby and he will now be a hot favourite to emulate Power Blade in sweeping all three legs of the Crown. He was a facile winner of both Cup Mile and Derby and has proven able to be tactically versatile. He should win. A week ago, we saw a prohibitive favourite to sweep the Triple Tiara go down in the last jewel as Fantastic Value was beaten. If the same is to happen to Oasis Blue then (10) MY DREAM DAY could be the one. 2^nd in the Mile and 4^th in the Derby, the 2000M can suit and he can be a danger late. (2) UNJU GUY was 2^nd in the Derby and looks to have scope for further progress, while (1) ECLIPSE THE KING was 3^rd, having led for much of the way. He draws very well to lead again and force the rest to come past. Stablemate of the favourite (4) OASIS RED is another who could potentially foil the Triple Crown.

Busan Race 6: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

(6) GREAT WINNER has won four of his last five, including his latest on April 20^th at this class over a mile when leading throughout and with three of today’s rivals behind him. He has a win and a place from two tries at this distance and while he comes up 4kg from that April win, he is the one to beat again. (5) BEOLGYOUI KKUM comes back in trip following a 5^th place at 2000M on May 30^th when he led for much of the way. He carries his fair share of weight today but should be a placing chance.  (1) STAR MATTA has had a challenging last few starts, most recently with a spin in the Busan Mayor’s Cup behind Global Hit. He has a good record at this distance and returning to more amenable company can be in the money. (10) TOP FIRE and (4) CHOEGANG SSONSAL others to look out for.

Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) HEUNGHAENG BULPAE was 4^th at this class and distance on May 17^th, an uptick on his recent form. He comes in under a light weight, is well drawn, and has as good a chance as any in this open affair. (8) DAEBAK STAR has just the one win in thirty-four attempts, but recent form reads well with a 3^rd and a 2^nd from his latest two, both at this class and distance and both times having raced on pace. He remains under a light weight, he can be on pace again, and he could win. (2) MARU JANGGUN returns for the first time since January. A winner of three from seven, he certainly mixes his form but looked well in a May trial and this is a soft race to return in. (1) CHEONHAENGCHAT and (6) LAFAYETTE others to consider.

Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Competitive race. (2) EAST GANGJEOK has won his latest two and four of his last five in total. That recent pair were both over this distance and bring him up in class today, but he comes down a full 5.5kg in weight, draws well to be on pace, and he can continue on his merry way. (11) KONGNAMULbeat three of these on his way to victory at this class and distance on May 11^th, showing on pace throughout. He comes up 4.5kg in weight and has the challenge of the widest gate but is not to be ruled out. (8) ULTRA THUNDER comes back in trip after a couple of recent goes around 1800M. He ran 2^nd at this class and distance in March and can be in the mix again. (1) NANO MASIN and the up in class (10) CHOEGO GAME are other place chances.

Seoul Race 11: Class 2 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(4) MIGHTY NEO was an all the way winner at this distance over a mile in March and has since run 3^rd and 4^th, the latter in a hybrid Class 1 and Class 2 race on May 25^th. He should enjoy dropping back to sprinting and while the step down to class 2 proper means he carries plenty of weight, he can be more than equal to it. (8) ACHIM DONGJA beat plenty of these on his way to victory at this class and distance on May 17^th, coming from off the pace. He only comes up 2kg in weight and can be close again. (1) MIRACLE HANGANG was 2^nd in that race, having led for much of the way. He draws very nicely to be on the speed and can once more be in this a long way. (9) DAEMUL and (10) GEUMA FIERY others to consider on a place line.