Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 9 August

Sunday August 9, 2026

Seoul Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported maidens with three of the nine racing for the first time. The only southern hemisphere runner is (2) VICTORY LIFE. He looked good when 2^nd in her trial in a decent time having been handy throughout. A concern is that was at the end of the April, and he has been lame since, but he has been back in work since the end of June and is worth a chance in this company. (5) A.K JUN looks the best of the experience. He raced handy on debut over 1000M on June 28^th, ultimately running on for 4^th place, albeit a long way behind a good winner. He beat two of today’s rivals in the proves and he will probably start as the betting faovurite. (8) ESSENTIAL FORCE is another debut-maker who looked well when an on pace 2^nd in his trial and can go well first up while (4) NAREUSYA LUCKY went through two heats improving in the second and should be nice and fit for this. (1) BULTAOREUNE was a fair 6^th of nine on debut and is the best of the rest.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(9) STAR PLAY was sent off as the longest shot on the board on debut over 1000M on July 4^th but made a mockery of that by coming from well off the pace to run a close 2^nd. The additional furlong can suit and with some natural improvement, he can go one better. After an eye-catching trial, (4) BEAT STAR was sent off as the long odds-on favourite on debut on June 27^th but while he led, he knocked up quickly and finished 4^th. He should have learned a bit from that and can be given another chance here. Sole debut-maker (7) MAGIC TOUCH went through two trials and was much improved in the second of them (be aware that as a “voluntary” trial, it won’t appear in all race cards, but it was on July 9^th) leading all the way and stopping the clock in 62.2 seconds. If he brings that form to the races, he is a big chance first-up. (8) BLITZ CARA was 5^th on debut and then 3^rd behind Star Play on July 4^th. Third-up he can be peaking and he can be close. (2) K SOCKS can improve on an ordinary debut.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with six of the nine racing for the first time, but it’s the experienced ones who most will go for. (6) OASIS HEUIMANG has raced twice before, finishing 3^rd on debut at the end of May and then 2^nd when starting the odds-on favourite over 1200M on July 17^th. He’ll be on pace here and will be an even shorter price to make it third time lucky. (8) HERO HIT came home in 4^th place on debut over 1000M on June 26^th, having shown on the speed. She previously won a trial, and she is the main danger here. (9) MORNING ARIA completes the trio wit prior experience. She too ran well on debut for 3^rd place over 1000M on July 3^rd and with some natural improvement, she can be in the mix again. Of the first timers, (2) ACE LOVE and (7) TWOTWO SPACE showed the most in trials.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) BREEDO EPIC didn’t do much on debut on May but was a much-improved 3^rd at start number two over 1300M on June 21^st. She comes up significantly in trip here but third-up she can be nice and fit, and she can make her breakthrough here.  (7) POWERFUL ARCTIC has been ordinary across seven starts so far but she returns to the distance at which she registered her best result to date at when 2^nd – well beaten by a good winner – in May. She can settle midfield and will see out the trip. (10) CLUB MAN has almost identical form with his best also being 2^nd over this distance two outings back. He can overcome the wide draw to be handy and can be competitive. (5) GWANAKSAN WISH ME and (4) SINCHEON HEART both picked up in their respective latest outings and can continue to make progress.

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

(3) MAGIC TREE was anonymous on debut all the way back last July and then didn’t reappear until this May wen a fair 6^th of nine over this 1300M. She returned on June 28^th to run 2^nd over this same trip when handy throughout and she’s favoured to go one better today. There is one debut-maker. (9) HEAR WE GO originally trialed last October but didn’t make it to the races. She looked a much better prospect when winning a heat in early July, showing on pace throughout and if she can bring that form to the races, this is a nice even to debut in. (2) SPEED BUMP was 2^nd over 1200M two starts back and would have run better than 4^th in her latest outing on July 5^th were it not for a bad start and then laying in, as is her habit. She has been back to trial since and with better manners today, she can be a danger. (6) MAGIC OF ART and (8) MISS COCO are the other place chances.

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

(8) ROYAL HOPE K was a winner on debut over 1000M on June 27^th, settling handy before taking things up late on and winning comfortably. He comes up in class and in trip today, but neither should be a problem, and he is favoured to repeat. It’s not a strong race for the level so (7) COMPLETE FUTURE can measure up too. After a 3^rd place in March, he got his maiden win in at the end over April over 1300M when on pace throughout. He hasn’t raced since but he has been in consistent work since mid-July and under a light weight, he can measure up. (4) AFLEET RUN is yet to win in nine but has been knocking at the door and looks a strong place chance in this company. (1) P N S NALA and (6) YEONGGWANGUI SKY are others who can trouble the scorers.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) YONGBI JJANG got his maiden win over this distance on March and followed up with back-to-back runner-up finishes in his first two tries at this level before getting a long way back and running 6^th when stepped up to 1800M last time out. Drawn well and back down to what seems his ideal trip, he can return to winning ways. (10) YONGBI SHARK arrested a run of indifferent form with a 2^nd place at this class and distance on July 5^th. He comes in under the same weight and on that form can be close here. (4) WONDERFUL FORTUNE ran on well for 2^nd place at big odds over 1400M in June and may be ready for another crack at a mile. (7) WORLD GOAT, a maiden winner over this trip two starts back, and (2) DELEKOOMDA are others in the mix.

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

Competitive race. (9) PASA QUEEN has been working back towards another win with a 3^rd and a 2^nd place from her latest two, both over 1400M at this class. An apprentice keeps her weight light and if she can find a forward position early, she can win. (3) SUNGANUI FIGHTER is yet to win in seven but has a 2^nd and a 3^rd from is latest two, the latter his first try at this class over 1400M on June 27^th when slow away and running on well. With a better start, he can go even better here. (1) STEPPING STONE was a winner on debut over 1200M in April but was a well beaten favourite on his first try at this level in June when slow away before being ridden hard to the lead and wilting. He has had nine weeks off since and is worth another chance here. (8) FINAL CHUKJE and (6) EODIDEUNJI are the other main chances.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) GYEONGBOK ATOS got his maiden win at start two in March with an all the way score over 1300M and has since run 4^th and 3^rd in two subsequent efforts at this level, most recently his first go over 1800M on July 17^th when on pace throughout. Franco stays on, he draws well to lead, and this time he can go all the way. (7) CHAMPUI SIDAE is yet to win in eleven but enters off smart 3^rd place at this class over a mile on July 5^th. He does his best work late and the step up to two turns for the first time may suit. (10) BREEDO ARENA has run 2^nd in all three of her tries at this distance, including her latest two outings which included beating Gyeongbok Atos. She likes to come from off the pace and can be there or thereabouts again. (1) STAR FORCE and (2) DOCTOR SOLAR others in the hunt.

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

(9) TIGER BULPAE is yet to win in eight attempts but has also never finished any worse than 5^th. She comes in off a very close 2^nd at this class and distance on June 28^th and while up 2kg on that, this looks very winnable. (10) KING SPICY made his breakthrough at start six over this distance on June 27^th, settling midfield and running on. He is accordingly up in class here but gets a bit of a weight break and he can be competitive. (8) GEUMSEONG QUEEN is also up in class, in her case after two 2^nd places in tree appearances. They were all at 1200M, but she has run on well and under a light weight, the step up in trip can suit. (3) K N STORM and (2) HANGANG FANTASTIC are others in line for the minors.

Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(9) INDIE TIGER is a perfect three for three having progressed in both class and distance each time. His latest win was at this distance on June 19^th when he was on pace throughout and while that brings him into class 3, he is down in weight, and he can will be a short price to make it four from four. (10) LIME TREE finished in midfield in a Queens’ Tour race two starts back before running 3^rd at this class and distance on July 12^th with two of today’s rivals behind her. She stays under a light weight, and she can be in the finish here. (7) GWANGBOKUI BANSEOK is up in class after a big win over a mile on July 3^rd. He has been all or nothing in is twelve appearances to date, but this is his first time at 1800M, and it can suit. (11) WONDERFUL BIDDER and (8) BEOLMAUI ACE others in the frame.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Competitive race. (6) BLACK SATANG returned from four months out to run 2^nd at this class over 1700M on July 11^th, settling back and running on well. She is up 2kg in weight, but she is a three-time winner over the distance, and she can strip fitter for that run a month ago. (4) HEEMANGBAND was a class and distance winner in May and enters after a 3^rd and a 2^nd from her latest two, most recently on July 12^th. She stays under a light weight and well-drawn she can be a danger here. She can overturn the form on (8) HIGH FOLLY, who won that July 12^th race. That was an uptick when compared with recent efforts, but he shouldn’t be dismissed here. (7) YEONGWON GIANT and (5) MUJEOK HAMDAE are others to consider on at least a place line.

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

(5) ALL THE BEST led last time out over 1600M on July 3^rd before ultimately running 4^th. She drops back to the distance at which both of her wins were over, and under a light weight and well-drawn, she can be on pace and can go all the way. (4) MISS SNIPER took eleven goes to get her maiden win, but she has held her form with a 2^nd and another win in two subsequent starts. That latter victory was at this class and distance on June 28^th when she led all the way and while she is up 3.5kg in weight today, a repeat isn’t impossible. (8) LEMON TREE was a winner at tis class over a mile two starts back but couldn’t repeat the trick on July 3^rd. Impressive apprentice Nam Jeong-hyeok is one for one on him and they can challenge here. (2) DAEGILUI KKUM and (10) TTANBONG QUEEN others in the frame.

Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

After winning over this distance at class 4 level by half the straight in February, (2) LIVE STAR was sent off as faovurite for the KRA Cup Mile, the opening leg of the Triple Crown in March. He finished well back in that and in the Derby, but e came back in mid-June to win at this class and distance and while up 2.5kg, he can repeat here. (11) BLACK SIDAE was a good winner over this distance on June 21^st, showing on pace throughout. He is up in class and has the challenge of the widest gate, but he is down 2.5kg in weight and e can be close. (3) HUSH DAEBO hinted at a return to form when beating several of these on his way to 3^rd place at this class and distance on July 5^th. The same apprentice jockey keeps his weight down and he can place again. (8) MY MUNNINGS and (10) BREEDO SIRIS among the other place chances.

Busan Race 7: Class 2 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(6) CLUTCH WINNER is a winner of three from five so far including Busan’s Classic trial back in March (imports were eligible for the Trial but not the Classics themselves). He has only raced once since then, sent off as favourite at this class over 1400M on May 22^nd but using up plenty of petrol from the widest gate and ending up 6^th. Coming in fresh, he can return to winning ways here. (10) GEUMA GUTTY has done his recent work at much longer distances and is an intriguing entry here. He has plenty of experience at this level and is the highest rated in the field so could go well. (9) OPEN SKY and (11) PACHAMAMA are both up in class after last start wins over this distance and while the former may be better placed to challenge, both can be in the mix. (1) RACE MAN another firmly in with a chance.

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(3) CATCH RACE is the highest achieving three-year-old filly so far with 3^rd in the Luna Stakes followed up with victory in the Korean Oaks and then 2^nd place in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup. She stays in filly and mare company for this modest handicap which she should be far too good for. (6) PURGE STEP is a winner of five from eleven and comes in off an all the way score at this class over 1800M on June 14^th. She is up 4kg in weight but shapes as the testing material here. (7) NAMSAN BELT returned from six months out on June 27^th showing on the speed before weakening. She should strip fitter for that, and she is one for one over the mile. (2) BARO DANAEUN hasn’t been quite the same as she was before a lengthy absence but her midfield finish in the Ttukseom Cup suggests that she still has some residual ability and she can be a place chance. (8) MYUNGJINBULLPAI is the other place chance.

Seoul Race 10: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

(2) HANSEN BRACING is a 1200M specialist who has won three of her last four with the defeat coming at 1400M in the Ttukseom Cup. Her latest was a ridiculously fast race at class 2 level on June 20^th and while that brings her to class 1 for the first time, she carries next to no weight and she can win again. That gives her a 6.5kg advantage over (3) ZIGGURAT who is perhaps the classier animal but in addition to carrying the grandstand, he can get himself a bit far back to do his best work at this distance. He did though run 3^rd to Speed Young in the Listed Segye Ilbo earlier this year and he is the quality horse of the field – if it clicks, he wins. Veteran (1) DAEHAN JILJU is two races into his latest comeback and while we need to draw a line through his 14^th in the Owners’ Cup, his 7^th in the SBS Sports Sprint suggests there may be something for him at this distance – which he has never won at – in this company. (6) KING HONOR and (4) J S ROAD are the other main chances.