Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 24 August

Sunday August 24, 2025

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with five of the twelve racing for the first time. (5) CHAM BBAREUN MAL was a very close 2^nd on debut over 1000M on July 27^th, racing handy throughout and almost getting up. He finished off very well so should have no problem with the extended trip, and he can win. (2) MY RUNNER was beaten by a bigger margin when 2^nd on his debut at 1000M on July 5^th, but he came from well off the pace to run on well. He too should have benefitted from the run and 1200M can suit. (9) KING MASTER beat a couple of these on his way to 3^rd place when debuting at this distance on July 20^th, overcoming a wide draw to get to the speed. He will need to do similar here but should be in the finish. Of the debut-makers, (1) AMOS STAR and (12) COMEBACK HOLYMOELY look the best at this stage.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maiden fillies. (6) UNJU TIME has four top four finishes from five starts so far and enters off her best to date when 2^nd in a very similar race to this on July 19^th when close to the pace throughout. She won’t need to improve very much at all to win this. (4) TRIPLE PALMETTO has made steady progress across her four appearances, culminating in a last start 4^th at 1200M. She has come from well off the pace every time and the slight step up in trip can suit. (9) TIGER ROAR also finished well on debut with her performance being better than the 7^th of twelve finish suggests. She should have come on for that run and can go closer this time. (5) SMART MINK and (1) DAEHAN COCOS are other place chances.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) ECLIPSE TANGO has been getting closer across his five starts and enters having run 3^rd at this distance on July 12^th when he led for most of the way around. Moon Se-young stays on, they should lead again in this company and this time they can go all the way. It isn’t a strong set of rivals. (1) X-FACTOR was only ordinary last time out but draws better this time around and with a good start, should be in this a long way. (3) GANGCHEOL POWER got his best finish in eighteen attempts when 2^nd at this distance on July 27^th, settling back and running on, and that’s enough for him to be in contention here. (5) SUN GALLANT and the returning (3) HANMADIMALDO are others to consider.

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

After running 7^th on debut (5) CHAMP SIDAE was a much-improved 2^nd in an all-filly maiden over this distance on July 18^th, racing further forward and beating a couple of today’s rivals. Franco stays on, third-up she can be peaking, and she is the one to beat. (3) WONDERFUL WIND has made progress across each of her four starts so far with 4^th behind Champ Sidae in that July 18^th race being her latest and best. She has a bit to find on the favourite but can get closer. (11) META V was 5^th in that same race in what for her was her racing debut and she can have come on for the experience. (10) SPEED BUMP and (6) BREEDO GALLANT others who can improve.

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

(2) GOLD CATCHER won back-to-back races in June and early July before running 3^rd at this class and distance on July 26^th when she raced more forward than in previous starts. Johan knows her well, they draw well, and they can return to winning ways. (9) CLAIR BIG BANG was only ordinary on debut back in January but since coming back in June, has been excellent, winning twice from off the pace at 1300M and at this distance. She has a very quick final furlong on her compared to her rivals here and so long as she is withing striking distance, she will be a big threat late on. (6) WANGCHOEGO will need a lone drawn through his latest at 1200M on July 26^th, but he has placed on both tries at this distance and can at least do so again. (4) JOY CHOENHA and up in class (11) BULGEUNTAEYANG are other chances.

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

It’s hard to go past (4) NICE BUDDY here. She got her win at start two over 1200M in June and has since run 2^nd and 3^rd in two tries at this class, both times racing on pace. She draws well to lead again, and she will be expected to go all the way. (2) ROSE DRAGON returned from six months off to run 2^nd at this class and distance in June. She has had a further eleven weeks off since then, but she should be fitter, and she can be close. (8) OASIS WICKY won on debut back in January but hasn’t been seen since. He appears to have been gelded in his spell away from the track and he looked well enough in a trial two weeks ago to suggest he be a danger first-up. (11) PLUTO and the up in class (3) LION MAGIC others in the frame.

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

Fillies only. (4) GWANAKSAN WONDERFUL returned from five months off to win on July 12^th over 1400M. She previously won a June trial and while she is up in class today, she is down in weight, she draws nicely, and she can win again. Should she have run her race last time then (3) MEGA STEP looks the most likely to take advantage. She enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes at this class over 1300M and 1400M, coming from off the pace both times, and though up 2.5kg in weight, she will be backed to at least match those finishes today. (9) HIT FLY races for the first time since early May when she recorded the latest of four 4^th place finishes. She looked good winning a July trial and can be involved here. (2) LUCKY DAY and (5) SSAK DANAEUN others to consider.

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

(5) HEUIMANG TAYO got his maiden win at start number three over 1300M on July 20^th, racing on pace throughout. He is up in class and slightly in distance, but he is down 2.5kg in weight, and he can win again. (4) SHACKLE SUN is yet to score after eight attempts but also finds himself up in class following a couple of near misses including last time out over 1400M on June 27^th. He is down in weight and can measure up. (10) DOCTOR LOUIS took a couple of goes to figure things out at this level, but a last start 4^th place suggests that he is ready to come into form. (9) WINNERS ROOKIE and (2) NAMDO ILDEUNG others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

We’ll take a chance on (3) GLOBAL TIME. He hasn’t raced since last December but he showed good promise for the layoff and went well in an early July trial, winning it in a good time. That was long enough ago that he shouldn’t have left his race there, CC Wong is booked, and there is plenty to like. Probably market favourite is (5) YEONGGWANGUI SKY. He got his maiden win with an all the way score at this trip three starts back and comes in off a good 3^rd place over 1400M on July 19^th when he led. He will lead again and will be in this a long way. (4) BREEDO TROPHY is a winner at this distance and while up 3kg on his last start 4^th, can be competitive. (10) GEOSEN JIJON and (9) SAEROUN GUY can also enter the calculations.

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

(6) YEOSU SUPER STAR won her first two races in April and May to get rapidly promoted to this class in the shortest time possible. At this level she has a 2^nd and a 3^rd, both at a mile and continuing under a light weight and with Seo Seung-un staying on, she should win today. (9) TOP OF THE TREE similarly won two in a row to get up to this class. He ran fairly for 6^th of eleven on his first try at this class and distance on May 30^th and coming in fresh following twelve weeks out, he can improve. (1) HANEUL BOSS is up in class having won at 1400M on July 18^th and while he doesn’t get a weight break, he can measure up. (11) SWORD MASTER and (8) FLYING MENACE other place chances.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) SMILE GOLD copped a bump at the start when sent off as favourite at this class and distance on July 27^th and never really featured after that. At her previous start she was 3^rd on her first appearance since last September and at a distance she was won over twice and third-up this preparation, she can be given another chance. (7) AWESOME QUEEN has never finished worse than 4^th in six outings. She has a 2^nd and a 3^rd in two tries at this level at 1400M and comes up to two turns for the first time under a light weight and every chance of going well. (4) SUPER BLUEMOON has two wins and two placings from five tries at 1700M and will surely be in the mix again. (5) GLORY CITY and (10) HERO JEONSA others in the hunt.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) VANGIE was a winner over this distance at class 5 level two starts back before running 2^nd on his first try at this class on August 10^th when settling back and not quite getting up. He makes a quick return here and can be given another chance. Seo Seung-un, who rode Vangie last time, is on (7) SMART SHAMAL here. The Japanese import beat a couple of these on his way to 2^nd place om July 11^th at this class and distance and he can be a danger. Franco Da Silva, who rode Smart Shamal last time, is on (5) SPEED TOP here. He was a class and distance winner two outings back and is not to be dismissed. There are a couple of first timers. Silver State colt (10) SENSATIONAL WIN and Collected colt (11) DUDUNG both hinted at ability in their respective trials and can be given a chance.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) WONDERFUL NORTHERN beat three of today’s rivals on his way to 2^nd place at this class and distance on July 20^th when handy throughout. Prior to that he ran in all three legs of the Triple Crown, with a 4^th place in the KRA Cup Mile his best finish He should have too much for this field today. (2) BLACK SATANG won back-to-back races in June and July to get rapidly promoted to this class before finishing 3^rd In his first try at it over 1700M on August 3^rd. He is one for one at 1800M, carries a light weight, and from a good draw, he should be on pace. (3) STUNNING MONEY was 4^th behind Wonderful Northern last time, maintaining a consistent run of form and he can be there or thereabouts again. (1) TAMRA CHOEGANGJA and (4) THEME TANSAENG are the minor money chances.

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

A winner of six from fourteen, (1) LAST DRAGON enters off a 3^rd place over 1800M at this class on July 20^th when close to the speed throughout. He comes up 2kg in weight but that’s balanced a bit by a draw that should allow Franco to pick his spot, and he can win. That will mean overturning the form on (3) DOCTOR CAPTAIN. It’s been a while since he won a race, but he has finished 2^nd or 3^rd in each of his last six, most recently when 2^nd in that July 20^th race. He will be in the mix again. (2) BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN won the final leg of the Triple Tiara over this distance at Seoul in June having previously run 3^rd in both the Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks. She could only manage 4^th at 1800M on her return to Busan in July but coming up in class today puts her down 4kg in weight and into contention. (4) HANEUL MANJEOM and (11) UNJU GUY others in the hunt in a strong race.

Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) NO PROBLEM won two in a row to be rapidly promoted to this class after which he has a 3^rd and a 2^nd in two goes at it. Moon Se-young, who has won on him returns to the ride and from a good draw he can be on pace and go all the way. He will need to overturn form on (7) HANSEN BRACING, who beat No Problem and the pair finished 1^st and 2^nd respectively when they raced at this class and distance, overcoming the widest gate to lead the entire way. There is a weight swing in No Problem’s favour, but both should be in the finish again. (6) RUN WILD is a two-time winner at the distance and was 2^nd on his latest on July 12^th. He has his fair share of weight to carry but can be dangerous. (10) COMMAND BLUE and (1) AMAZON KING others who can be considered.

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

(1) PROCEED was a winner over 1800M at class 4 level back in May, leading all the way. He hasn’t raced since, and he is up in class, but he carries a nice light weight and has as good a chance as any.  (3) DIANA is ultra-consistent; she just keeps on finding one or two too quick, preventing her from adding to her tally of two wins. She came up to this class last time out and ran 3^rd and coming in fresh after thirteen weeks off, she will be in the mix again. (10) HANGANG BOSS was 3^rd at this class over 1200 on August 2^nd and under an apprentice jockey, his weight stays low here. (6) GWANGCHIGI is better than his latest couple suggest and back at 1400M can be a danger. (2) HOLIDAY CHARM another in the mix in a competitive race.

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

(6) GANGPUNGMA is an eight-time winner, including his latest at this class and distance on June 29^th when he came from off the pace to soundly defeat a field containing four of today’s rivals. He is up 2.5kg in weight, but he can win again. (8) BLACK BELT was 2^nd in that race, following up from a class and distance win of his own at the start of June. He has his fair share of weight to deal with again, but he is the danger. (4) MONEY CROWN comes out of the KRA Cup Classic and back in shallower waters, he can launch his usual run from off the pace. (2) JANGSAN MONSTER and (7) MEGA DRAGON others who have the ability to trouble the judges on their day.