Korea Racing Busan Preview – 17 April

Friday April 17, 2026

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

(8) GOLD POCKET was on pace on debut over this distance on March 20^th when beating a couple of these on her way to 2^nd place behind a good winner. She should have come on for that run, she should be on pace again, and she will be a short price to go one better. (2) OASIS KINGDOM has raced twice and was an improved 5^th over 1400M on March 29^th. He makes a quick return here and possible peaking fitness wise, he can get much closer. (1) GAON PERFECT ran 3^rd on debut in that March 20^th race behind Gold Pocket. He has seven-lengths to find on the filly, but it wasn’t a bad effort and he can improve. (11) OVER RAINBOW and debut-maker (5) STEALTH KINGMAN others who can be in the finish.

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

The second division of the opening maiden and there will probably be an equally strong favourite. (2) POWERFUL THUNDER has made steady progress across five starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place over 1200M on March 20^th. He draws a much better gate than in any of his last three so he should get an easier run to the front and then take some beating.  (10) VELOCI QUEEN has impressed in all three outings with a 4^th, a 2^nd, and a 3^rd. She has a strong finish on her so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she will be a big danger late. (4) SUCCESS PYEONGHWA was 2^nd on debut all the way back in July last year and then finally returned to run a fair 3^rd on March 8^th when leading for much of the way. He’ll be challenging for the speed again and can be in the finish. Those three will be at the top of most tickets, with (11) DIA X and perhaps the sole first-time starter (5) BUTTER CRASH others to look out for.

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

(6) TRIPLE SINHWA stepped up to this distance for the first time last November and was a solid winner at class 4 level. Since then, he has raced three times at this class, all again over the 1800M and has finished 2^nd all three times, most recently racing handy on March 6^th. He has his fair share of weight but Seo Seung-un stays on, and he is favoured to return to winning ways. Second favourite will be (4) BEST BOY. Remarkably, at start number thirty, he is racing at both this class and distance for the very first time, but he enters in very good form, winning over a mile three starts back and following up with a 3^rd and a 2^nd. That brings him up in class, but he is down a full 5kg in weight and that should make him very competitive. (2) TOHAMSAN TAEYANG could only manage 6^th of twelve last time out on March 20^th but she was a winner at this distance in January and under a light weight, she can be in the finish. (8) GASOK JEIL and (5) VEREUDA will need passes on their respective latest efforts to be best of the rest.

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

A couple of standouts. We’ll take a chance on (3) WIND SWORD. He got his win at this distance in January and has placed twice in two subsequent efforts at this class, most recently on March 27^th. He is up in weight but from a good draw, Lyu Gwang-hee can drop him back behind the speed and he can finish strongly. (10) THE POINT is the danger and probably the favourite. He got his maiden win at start five in February and then beat several of today’s rivals when 4^th at this class and distance on March 20^th when he led throughout. He has the challenge of a wide gate but if he can find the front, he could be hard to beat. (4) GREAT STAR has hinted at a return to form with a 6^th and a 4^th from his latest two, the latter behind The Point on March 20^th. (11) DONGNAM DOLPUNG, along with the down in class (8) QUEEN SPICY, others to consider on a place line.

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

(5) GEUMA PANTHER won over a mile in June last year before lameness ruled him out until this February. He didn’t do much on his first start back, but he was an improved 4^th on his latest on March 13^th when slower away than usual and coming from off the pace. Drawn slightly better and third-up, today can be his day. (10) HOLY NIKE was a winner at this class on March 13^th over 1400M settling back and finishing well. He comes up 3kg in weight and also tackles the mile for the first time but given his recent racing pattern, the latte can suit and he can be a danger. (7) YONGBI JJANG stepped up to a mile for the first time on March 27^th and duly raced on pace to secure his maiden win. He is up in class but down in weight and should measure up in this company. (12) SOMANGUIGIL and (2) YONGBI SHARK among plenty of other place chances.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) YEOUN won on debut in a filly maiden over 1200M in January and has a 4^th and a 2^nd in two subsequent starts at this level, the latter her first try at this distance on March 13^th when beaten a length and three-quarters by Holy Nike (who we should have seen in race 5). She should lead here and can go all the way. She holds an entry for the Korean Oaks on May 10^th. After running 3^rd to Fappi Babe on debut, (11) GYEONGBOK ATOS broke through at start two over 1300M on March 20^th, leading from gate to wire (with Gold Pocket and Gaon Perfect from race 1 today behind). He is up in class and slightly in trip and while the draw does him no favours, he can be competitive. (3) TIGER MONSTER was 3^rd behind Yeoun in that March 13^th race. He was sent off as the market elect and was less thana length behind Yeoun so is not to be dismissed today. (12) SUCCESS DAY and (4) TIP TAP others in the placing frame.

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

Fillies and mares only here. (5) KYUNGNAM DRAGON had put together a solid resume with two wins and four placings from seven starts up to May last year when she went lame in her left foreleg and didn’t return to regular work until this February. She was 5^th on her return over 1200M on April 5^th and making a quick return, and up to 1400M for the first time, she can strip fitter, and she can win.  (10) ONE WAY beat several of these when running 2^nd at this class and distance on March 15^th. She is up 3kg in weight but still carries a manageable load and while she can mix his form, on that effort, she has a chance at a probable each-way price. (6) WORLD BLUE PIN CAT is a winner of two from four at this distance and under a light weight, she should be in the finish. (8) JINJU BIT and (12) QUEEN AND SERVE are others in the hunt for the places.

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

Perhaps the most competitive race on the card is saved for last. (3) FLEX ENGINE was a class and distance winner on March 6^th, when handy throughout. He is up 3kg in weight but draws well and he has as good a chance as any. (6) FAST MAN comes up in class having won over this distance with a fine front-running effort on March 27^th. He only gets a 1kg weight drop but he draws nicely to be on the speed, and he can be in this a long way. (5) WIN WIN enters off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes and beat a few of these on March 20^th. He is another who has a good draw to be among the pacesetters and he can stay on for the business end. (1) TAMNA FIRST is better than his latest results suggest, and along with (7) DRAGON DEVIL, is another in the mix.