This Sunday sees the Busan Mayor’s Cup, the final leg of the Stayers’ Series where Cheongdam Dokki will once again seek to see off the likes of Tiz Plan and Shamrocker to take a clean sweep off all three legs having already won the Herald Business and YTN Cups. Before that though there is a big 15-race card at Busan on Friday running from 11:30 to 18:00. With Coivd-19 confirmed cases having risen to between 40-50 per day this week, there is still no sign as to if and when racegoers will be allowed to return to the tracks. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

Two-year-old gallopers kick of proceedings on Friday with six of the eleven engaged previously raced. (3) GALLANT WARRIOR is the on top selection in a race with many chances. The Old Fashioned colt has performed well at his two starts to date, coming off a last start fourth behind a handy type named Doctor Fashion. (7) CLEAN HIT trialed up nicely in his heat, when only having to be asked for in the last half furlong. He clocked a good time considering there was minimal urging from Lyu Gwang-hee. Busan’s leading rider You Hyun-myung will ride the colt on debut. (4) LUCAS SUN lines up for his second start after finishing midfield on debut behind World Cheonsa. The Purge colt was beaten a big margin, but his time was good and the winner looks an above average type. (5) THE FIRST FACTOR is another that finished behind a special one last start, named Winner’s Man. The filly settled better than midfield before running through the line one-paced. If she can find some improvement on top of her last effort, she can run into the money.

Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The second is an all-aged maiden for the Korean-bred gallopers where a field of ten will start over six furlongs. With very little speed engaged in the event it looks a good opportunity for (4) RAPTOR MAN to break through under new apprentice Mo Junho. The Rock Hard Ten gelding brought up his first placing last time out, when second behind Pai Blade. He looks one that appreciated the enforced break, he should be able to jump and run from gate four and prove hard to beat. (5) POWERFUL LEGEND looks capable of running into the money after finishing third last time out over this distance. The three-year-old gives the indication he is backmarker so don’t expect him to be settling in the first couple. (6) RAPIDO QUEEN will debut in the race. The Sadamu Patek filly clocked a fair time in her trial, many of these have shown limited ability suggesting she can figure at her first start. (10) HUIMANG SOYEO looks next best as she lines up for her first-up run. She trialed up well and has previously placed in similar company.

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Another all-aged maiden for the Korean-bred gallopers here with a field of eleven engaged. In a race lacking depth, (9) DOCTOR KHAN goes on top after finishing third last start over this distance behind Nice One. The Menifee gelding was beaten ten lengths on that occasion but this is a much easier assignment. There should be some natural improvement with this start being his third career run. (6) SPRING FIRE is another that was beaten by a big margin when placing in an age-restricted race last time out. The Lion Santa filly finished third but clocked a time that will see her competitive against a field of this caliber. (2) MYEONGGA DAERO looks capable of running into a place with a good draw. The four-year-old has had eighteen starts, yielding just one place. He comes off a last start fourth when clocking a fair time behind Kkumeul Neomeo. (4) KING BROTHER has finished midfield at his three starts to date. He resumes in this event coming off a fair trial.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The two and three-year-old gallopers line up in the fourth over 1300m, all looking for their first win. In a very even contest, (10) TWO TWO CELEB looks capable of being in the finish. The Cowboy Cal filly will carry just the 51.5kg coming off a midfield performance behind World Cheonsa. This race looks an easier assignment, where she will get the services of You Hyun-myung. (4) ECHO GOOD was slightly disappointing last time out when well thought of in a similar event. The Tiz Wonderful filly could only manage fifth, when one-paced in the run to the line never looking a winning chance. (5) ROYALIST lines up for his third start, coming off a fifth last time out over this distance. The Chapel Royal three-year-old was beaten a big margin but this looks an easier assignment. He did place behind Smart Value on debut. Flashy chestnut (9) TAPIT WONDERFUL looks an each-way play based on his two starts to date. The three-year-old placed on debut and then was beaten seven lengths when finishing fourth behind Top Of The Girl.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The fifth will see the Korean-bred fillies line up over 1300m. (8) DASEUNG E produced a good performance last time out when finishing second behind Wind Park in similar company. The filly sat on speed and went down less than a length, over the same distance as this event. If she can hand in a similar effort, she should go close with minimal early speed engaged in the event. (7) QUEEN VRONSKY has notched two placings from as many starts including a last start second behind Top Lucky. The filly has the ability to close over a sprint distance, the additional half furlong should be in her favour. (3) SATURDAY QUEEN went down a head last time out when second behind Blue Ember. The Any Given Saturday four-year-old maps to sit just behind the speed and be given every chance as heads turn for home. (5) CAPSTONE comes out of the same races where she finished fourth. She was somewhat one-paced through the line but is capable of figuring.

Race 6: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The next best thing from a dead certainty will line up in the sixth where a compact field of eight will go over the 1400m. (3) PORRIMA lines up in a race which she should win by panels. The Old Fashioned filly is the only runner to bring any reasonable form into the race. She comes off a last start third behind Adele Classic where she was comprehensively beaten. This race looks much easier, expect her to work to the front and not be headed. (2) TRUE WARRIOR is fourth up and should be rock hard fit. He placed when resuming but has been disappointing at his two starts since. (5) JILJU YEOHAENG lines up for her twenty-third start after finishing fourth behind Pai Blade last time out. She is capable of running on into some minor money. (6) ACE JACKPOT looks next best with some respectable performances over this distance in previous preparations.

Race 7: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

The seventh event will see an assembly of progressive types line up over 1400m. (5) ANGEL KING STAR looks one of the main chances after finishing second behind Nansan Yeoje last time out. The gelding is yet to break maiden status but he has been ultra-consistent in his twelve career starts to date. He should take some improvement off his first-up run and be there at the business end. (1) GOBLIN lines up for just his fourth career start. The Strike Again gelding started his career in good style, finishing second behind Secret Illusion and backing it up with a win in three-year-old company earlier this year. He was a little disappointing when resuming but we know he has an engine. (8) KKUMEUL NEOMEO took five starts to break maiden status but her effort when doing so was very good. She clocked a quick time for the 1400m when taking up the running, expect Park Tae-jong to employ the same tactics here. (7) VERRA DAY is another last start winner. His victory was in this grade and as a result he will carry an additional 3.5kg. He showed a nice turn of foot when winning, from barrier seven Lee Hyo-sik may elect to settle in the second half of the field once again.

Race 8: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Another event where the Class Five gallopers line up over 1400m. (3) B.K. EUAN looks one of the few winning chances in the race coming off a last start third behind Raon Sky Man. Connections have elected to put Mo Junho aboard, taking advantage of his 4kg claim. He has drawn well suggesting he may be able to settle closer than last start, before finishing off strong with the minimal weight on his back. (6) CHEONGDAM FIRE is third-up coming off a fifth behind Jeonseolui Bulkkot. The Testa Matta colt is capable of kicking up and finding a handy position, before finishing off well in the small field. (4) BORYEONG HWANHO has finished third at all three starts this time in, and there is every chance she will finish third again. The Thunder Moccasin filly seems to have appreciated the break, resuming with fresh legs and handing in some better performances. (8) SISEON GANGTAL is second up after a fair performance when resuming. He has only finished worse than fifth once from six occasions and warrants some thought for your selections.

Race 9: Class 5 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Not the greatest Class Five event we have seen at Busan, nevertheless something has to win the ninth. (7) BLUE SIGNAL is the on top selection after breaking maiden status last time out. The time clocked was slow but this field is comprised of some very average types, suggesting he can go back to back. (8) CHEONNYEONUI ULRIM placed over this journey last start when third behind Wonderful Ei. The Test Matta gelding is always capable off running into a place in an event like this. (11) DARAON SINSEDAE finished third behind Geuma Kairos last start when lining up over the two turns. The time was quite good for this grade but the question lies with his consistency, placing just twice from fifteen starts. (4) BAEDARI CAPER looks next best in a race that does not inspire.

Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Ten imports and the one Korean-bred will line up in the tenth where they will go over six furlongs. (6) WORLD TOP looks one of the main chances based on his first-up run mid-July. The Creative Cause colt settled behind the speed before letting down nicely, going down three lengths behind the handy Ara Rose. Expect improvement second-up where he will retain the services of Franco Da Silva. (2) DAEDONG GISANG is third up coming off a good performance when finishing fourth behing Spice Candy. The entire gets into the race with a lightweight on his back. If he can clock a similar time to last start he can go close in this event. The interesting galloper engaged is (3) AKER’S DREAM. The Discreet Cat colt lines up for just his third start after resuming in February right before the enforced Covid hiatus. He showed plenty of speed first up last start before capitulating in the run home. His most recent trial was good, he looks one you need to keep safe. (11) QUEEN MARVEL IJI has just the two minor placings from eight starts, but there are many that bring similar stats into the race. You Hyun-Myung will jump on her back for the first time.

Race 11: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

A small field of nine runners will line up in the eleventh where the race looks even on paper. (9) UNION QUEEN was good third-up last time out when winning in a race full of depth. She stays in Class 4 company and will carry an extra 3kg. Although she carries a big impost, she looks capable of going back to back. (1) MAN OF THE FIELD looks an each way player in the event. The Federalist colt finished off well at his last start when second behind Centum Beongae. The inside gate is perfect to allow him to camp in the first four before hitting the line strong. (8) FINE TRUMPET brings some good form lines into the race, which suggests he can finish in the placings. His rider Jin Kyum is likely to ask him to work forward early on in a race that doesn’t ooze speed. (4) FUTURE KING showed plenty of potential last preparation and has only been fair this time in. Keep him safe in your selections, he is third-up and may be ready to show us what he can do.

Race 12: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

There’s limited early speed in the twelfth on the card where a compact field of eight will go over the 1400m. (5) BEYOND looks a big chance coming off a good performance when second behind Barbarian last time out. The Afleet Again gelding hit the line with gusto after settling well back from a wide gate. (6) ACE BOOM looks one that will get the chance to dictate the speed of the race. Mo Junho will ride the filly meaning she will carry just 52kg. If apprentice Mo can rate his mount in front perfectly he will take some catching. (7) ROSA is a last start winner in this grade. She won an event over this distance when running the leaders down in good fashion. She hasn’t carried this type of weight (55.5kg) in quite some time so naturally that is the concern. (8) BEAUTIFUL MARINE was a surprise last winner in this class as well. She has handed in some good performances with bigger weights but never in a field of this class.

Race 13: Class 3 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

The thirteenth on the card will see a handy bunch of gallopers who are yet to hit the peak of their abilities. (6) WORLD TODAY goes on top after his last start win over the 1800m. The Ecton Park four-year-old has won four of his nine starts including two this preparation. Djordje Perovic will ride 2kg heavier after the win last start. (1) THE SABER finished second behind World Today last start, he looks an each way chance after finishing within a length of him. World Today and The Saber will carry the same weight in this event. (8) BABEL HIT resumed in a trophy race last time out when fifth behind Socks Go. Back in restricted company he is more than capable of figuring after what he showed us during his first preparation. (7) IRON COR looks a place chance after finishing third to World Today last time out. He did finish a significant six lengths behind The Saber (2^nd) suggesting there would need to be improvement to be considered a winning chance.

Race 14: Class 3 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

Another Class Three mile event however it lacks the depth of the previous race. We are electing the progressive (2) ARA ROSE the on top selection as she has been placed in a very lackluster Class Three event. She comes off a good win over the six furlongs and she looks one that will run the eight furlongs out strong. This is just her fifth start and she gets in with a light weight. (6) HAPPY DRAGON looks an each way prospect based on her two efforts this time in, where the races have been much stronger. She comes off a fourth last start behind Happy Fever when hitting the line strong. The start prior she finished midfield behind Samseong Dokki who has gone on to show he is a very capable horse. (4) CHANGJO DAERO comes off a last start third in a Class Three event. The Orb entire has only won the two races from nineteen starts but is consistently in the first five across the line. (7) BIG FOOT looks next best but one we suggest taking on a place line only.

Race 15: Class 2 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 90 Million

The last on the card will see the Class Two gallopers go over the two turns. (10) SOCKS GO is the on top selection based on the brilliant style he has resumed in. The Race Day gelding won his first two starts this preparation before giving Toham Ace too much of a head start last time out. The grey ran on strongly last start but had to settle for second beaten less than two lengths. He is a model of consistency finishing in the top three on seven occasions from eleven starts, including three wins. (1) GREAT ROCK has established himself as a very reliable galloper. The Ecton Park gelding will be third up as well after finishing fourth and second in similar events since resuming. At his most recent start he hit the line strong to go down half a length behind Hidden Star. (2) YEONGSEONG STAR comes out of the Toham Ace race where he finished fifth. He is yet to prove himself as a two-turn horse but is never far away. (7) MR. SCAT resumes and we have seen his consistency over the longer distances in previous preparations. He won his trial which is hardly a gauge, but he is more than capable of figuring in a race like this.