Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 21 December

Sunday December 28, 2025

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with three of the twelve racing for the first time. After a good trial, (1) PAS DE CHEVAL ran 2^nd on debut on November 29^th, showing on pace throughout and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He should have come on for that run, he draws well here, and he can go one better. (9) JISAN LABEL similarly came off a good trial to run 2^nd at his first start, in his case over 1200M on November 15^th, coming from off the pace. The slight step up in trip can suit. (3) ROAD TO HEAT led for much of the way on debut over 1200M on November 22^nd. Ultimately running 3^rd. He draws well to lead again, and a little Maia-style can keep him there for the finish. Of the first timers (10) GREEN JACKET won his trial in a decent time and can go well. Returning to the experience, (7) SUPERDAY is the only one who has raced twice and with a 3^rd and a 4^th, has to be considered.

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

(8) POWERFUL PRADO was an improved 3^rd at start number two at 1200M on November 16^th, coming from behind the speed. The slight step up in trip can suit and at start three, he can be peaking. (10) EUNBIT YUHOK has made steady progress across three starts so far with her latest her best when 3^rd at 1200M with two of today’s rivals behind here. That was her first appearance since September, so she can strip fitter for the run, and can be in the mix. (6) RAON PARANOMA has been knocking on the door in recent outings. She is the pick to set the early pace in this company, and she can be in this a long way. (11) LOVERMAN and (4) RAON KINGSMAN among other placing chances.

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

(1) POWERFUL KNIGHT ran 3^rd and 2^nd in his first two starts before being given his chance in the G2 Breeders’ Cup over 1400M at Busan in November. That proved too much too soon but back in shallower waters today, and with CC climbing on, he is worth another chance. (3) ONEMO TIME enters off an improved 2^nd at start number three over 1300M on November 23^rd when coming from behind the speed and only narrowly missing out. The slight step up in trip can suit and she will be a danger. (8) ILGEUP BISUL has made solid progress across three outings so far, culminating in 3^rd place over 1200M last time out. She hasn’t raced since September but can be close here. (11) NAEGEROWAJWO and (4) SAMJEONG WINNER others in the hunt.

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

Some late developing juvenile maidens here, with all but one racing for the first time. Favourite will be (3) BUNKER BUSTER was a very good trial winner, leading all the way and stopping the clock in a quick time. He draws very well to lead here and if he brings that form to the races, he will take some beating. (5) JANGGO MAN was 2^nd in his trial, coming from midfield and finishing ahead of a couple of today’s rivals in a fair time. Seo Seung-un’s booking means he will have plenty of backers. (9) B.K HIGHER was 3^rd in his trial, well-back behind the winner but showing enough to suggest he can challenge for a place first-up. (1) DUBAI SEONMUL and (6) STORM WINNER others who hinted at ability.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) THE SUN BULSAJO was a very quick winner over 1000M on debut, before running 3^rd in the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy for juveniles behind only Chief Star and Wonpyeong Sket on October 19^th. She returns to much shallower waters today and despite the wide draw, should return to winning ways. (8) YEONGGWANGUI SKY enters off the back of three consecutive 2^nd place finishes at this class. An apprentice keeps his weight nice and low, and while he may need to settle for one being too quick again, he can maintain his good form. An apprentice claim may also benefit (6) CALM IN STORM, who was 3^rd at this class and distance three starts back and can come back into contention here. There is a big drop off to the rest with (5) FOX TROT and (3) CUPID CHIC having limited place chances.

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

(11) HIGH BEAUTY has a 4^th and a 2^nd from two outings to date, leading both times, most recently in a filly only maiden over 1200M on November 16^th. She has the challenge of a wide gate here but can go one better. (7) QUEEN PERFECT was ordinary on debut n August but returned to run 3^rd on November 9^th over this distance, settling midfield and running on. She can strip fitter for that effort and can be a danger. There are three debut makers and (1) CHAMP GIRL went through two trials, finishing 4^th and 3^rd and posting respectable times in both. From the inside gate she can be on the speed and can go well. (6) WIND SWORD and (10) WONDERFUL BAND others in the hunt.

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

Fillies and mares only here. After running 2^nd on debut in October, (11) GEUMJEOKSAN was an eye-catching winner at start two over 1200M on November 22^nd, leading all the way and scoring by as many as she pleased. She comes up in class but stays in restricted fillies and mares company and despite the wide draw, she can win again. (9) TIGER ROAR is the danger. She is yet to win in five attempts but was 3^rd on her first try at this class and distance on November 29^th when settling midfield and running on. She is down 1kg in weight, CC is on, and she can be close. (1) RAON THE BELMONT is another maiden who has been getting progressively closer and despite ostensibly being up in class here, the resulting weight drop makes her a solid place chance. (5) GIDAEHARA and (10) DURAY SHOW others to consider on a place line.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) GOLDEN EMPIRE got her maiden win at the third time of asking over 1200M on November 16^th when on pace throughout. She comes up in class today but stays in filly and mare company and from a good draw and with Seo Seung-un getting on, she can be on the speed and win again. (3) GRAND TREE got her first win at start two back in September and has since finished 3^rd and 4^th in two tries at this level, both at this distance. She can settle just behind the speed here and be a danger late. She will need to overturn the form on (8) THIS WAY, who ran 3^rd on November 28^th, beating Grand Tree in 4^th. She can get a long way back in her races but can finish well. (11) JOY OF QUEEN and (10) BORYEONG ONE ROAD, both up in class, are others to look out for.

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

(7) SAMJEONG SPIDER is two for two having won on debut on October over 1200M and then in November at 1300M, both times racing on pace. That brings him rapidly up in class but the manner of those victories suggest there can be more to come, and he is favoured to maintain his 100% record today. (4) TOHOMARKET was a class and distance winner in August and enters off a solid 3^rd on November 30^th. Given her draw, she should be on pace and she can go close. (11) MYUNGJINBULLPAI has placed in each of her latest three and down at a trip at which she has five additional placings to her name, she should be there or thereabouts today. Up in class last start winner (9) SEMYEONG DIA, along with (8) HAKSAN CAIRO are others in the frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(7) FUNNY WILD put in one of the most impressive debut performances of the year when scoring easily over 1200M in September, He then went on to run 3^rd in the Listed Gimhae Mayor’s Trophy and 4^th in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie, both times showing on pace. He returns to regular company here and on his first try at a mile, he can win. He will though have to overcome (3) FANTASTIC FORCE, who was 3^rd in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie at odds of 50/1. He had a win and a 3^rd going into that and while Funny Wild may have more upside, he is not to be underestimated. (1) SERYEONDOENWISUN is up in class having got his maiden win over 1400M on November 28^th. He is up to the mile for the first time, but down 3kg in weight and he can be a threat. (9) FLYING THE LUCKY and (12) SEATTLE DREAM other chances.

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

The form here isn’t very convincing, so we’ll go with (2) SAMJOGO. After a positive second trial, he ran a fair 5^th on debut over 1200M on November 22^nd. Under today’s conditions, he comes down 3kg in weight, he draws well, and with some natural improvement, he has as good a chance as any. (1) HAEUNGUNUI YEOSIN defied odds on 70/1 to run an improved 2^nd at start four over 1400M on November 30^th, coming from off the pace and that’s enough to put here in the top line here. (10) MIGHTY CHOICE and (8) STAY BIG came home 4^th and 6^th respectively when they raced each other over 1200M on November 8^th. It was the latter’s debut, and both can improve today. (5) SFORZA the other main chance.

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

Wide open race. Since getting her maiden win over 1300M in September, (5) ANN BUNNY has registered three consecutive runner-up finishes, most recently at this class and distance on December 5^th when coming from a long way back to beat a few of today’s rivals. She comes in under the same weight and could go one better at probable each-way odds. (7) SEOUL DRAGON enters off a 2^nd place at this class and distance on November 28^th when coming from well off the pace. He too gets in at the same weight and at a distance he has won over before, shapes as a chance. (8) AMAZING ONE has won his latest two to get rapidly promoted to this class. The most recent was at this distance and with Seo Seung-un staying on, he can complete a hat-trick. (11) CAPTAIN DIA and (9) KOHINOOR among plenty of others with at least place chances.

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

(3) AIRFORCEONE is a winner of two from six and comes in here having finished 8^th of fifteen in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie, a race he had little chance in from the widest gate. He tackles two turns for the first time and can win. (1) CHUKBAEREUL DEULEORA was a winner at this class over 1700M three starts back and has a 4^th and a 3^rd in two outings since. Maia climbing on for the first time means he will almost certainly start as favourite and boosts his claims significantly. (8) DANGDAECHOWOL has won his latest two, both at 1700M and at class 5 level. He is up in class today but already has a 4^th place over this trip and he can be a danger. (6) HANGANG CAPTAIN and (7) WONDERFUL WELLS are the other main hopes.

Busan Race 6: Class 1 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

(12) SMART BOSS comes out of a 2^nd place in the G3 Kookje Shinmun over 1400Mat the end of October, prior to which he was a strong winner over a mile at class 2 level. His only finish so far outside of the top three was when 6^th on his only previous try at 2000M – with three of today’s rivals in front of him – back in May, but he should be ready for another crack, and he is the one to beat. (4) BORYEONGLIGHTQUEEN won the final leg of the Triple Tiara over this trip and then won a leg of the Queens’ Tour. She enters having run 3^rd in the Breeders’ Cup Queen over 1800M in November and under a very light weight, should be a danger here, though she needs the pace to be on. (7) YEONGGWANGUIFIRST comes out of the Grand Prix Stakes where he finished midfield, a very long way behind the winner. At the start before he beat several of these when winning at this class over 1800M and must be taken seriously here. (3) HUNTER DRAGON and (1) ONEULISUNGAN among plenty of other chances in a fitting finale to the Busan season.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(9) STAR TREK enters in very good form, having won three of his last five and found time in between to run 4^th in a valuable Trophy race on international weekend. A front-runner, the draw is not ideal, and he is up 3kg in weight from his latest win, but he has every chance again. (6) CUPID IT races for the first time since running 4^th to Star Trek’s 2^nd at class and distance in October when both were beaten by the very good Silver Rain. Before that, he won two on the spin and coming in fresh, he is a danger. Making up the top three is (8) MORE THAN JOKE. After winning three in a row, he had a few midfield finishes on his first tries at this class but his last start 3^rd suggests he is getting to grips with it. (10) WORLD SHANNONS was a surprise winner last time and despite the big weight must be taken seriously. (5) HANGANG BOSS another in the frame.

Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

It’s hard to go past (3) FLYING CRUISER here. It took him six goes to break through, but 1800M has been the making of him with two wins and two 2^nd places since being stepped up to the distance. He won at this class on November 15^th, pretty much making all, and while up 3.5kg in weight, he draws well to lead again and he can win again. (7) JEULGEOUN SANGSANG has won four of his last five and all of his latest three, most recently at 1400M on November 30^th. He is up in class and up in trip to two-turns for the first time, but he is down 4kg in weight and he can be in the mix. (10) MARU JANGGUN was a close 2^nd last time out and can be close again here. (9) KING HONOR and (11) ULTRA DRAGON the other main chances.

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

An treat for the final Korean race of 2025. (8) WONPYEONG STORM ran 6^th in the Grand Prix, many lengths behind the winner, but a line needs to be drawn through all form from that unfamiliar 2300M. He was a class 1 winner over 1800M in September, and he really has the potential to go on as a four-year-old, which he can show here. (7) GANGPUNGMA blew the start of the Grand Prix but ran on strongly for 2^nd place, albeit nine-lengths behind the winner. He is a four-time winner over the distance and while he carries a big weight, he will be the odds-on favourite here and though we are taking him on, it would be no surprise if he justifies that and makes our pick look somewhat less than ideal. (11) WONDERFUL NORTHERN has won his latest two to come up rapidly in class but he carries a light weight and may measure up. (10) SAENAE TOWN and (4) RAON FOREST others to keep safe.