Punters returned to the racecourses in limited numbers last weekend and this week, with prize money restored to normal levels, Busan begins the weekend’s proceedings on Friday with an 11-race card from 11:30 to 18:00. The races will be on overseas simulcast in the usual places:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

A maiden to kick things off with two colts taking on nine fillies. Seven have raced before with (3) HAPPY SECRET having posted the fastest time among them at this distance. That was back in January but while she has neither raced nor trialed since August, the featherweight she carries on her back today should put her right into contention. (10) WORLD REMEMBER ran 6^th of 14 over 1200M three weeks ago but led for much of the race. The drop back in trip plus the jockey booking means we can have some confidence of improvement here. (9) WONDERFUL SMARTY too has tired late on in her past two and should appreciate the shorter distance. Of the four first-timers, (7) YEONGGWANGUI ROAD looked sharp if a little green when positing a decent time in his trial while (1) MYEONGSEONG MAGIC also looks set to go well first-up.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The second event on the card is an all-aged maiden over the short course. (9) MAGICAL SONG will line up for her debut run after an encouraging trial. The daughter of Purge showed early natural speed and coasted through the line in good style. The time for her trial was good and to the eye she looked as if she had more to give. (1) ICE DANCE is another debutant who trialed up in good style. The Thunder Moccasin filly jumped away only fairly in her trial before quickening and running through the line in good style. When comparing her trial time to her opposition here, she looks to be one of the main chances engaged. (6) SINBARAM GIL will line up for her third start after some reasonable performances back in the mid-part of the year. She hasn’t had the early speed to match the leaders in her races to date, expect her to finish off strong. (4) BAEDARI SUNSHINE is looking to break maiden status at start number six. He placed in similar company back in May but the two runs since then have only been fair. 

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

(6) GOOD SOCKS ran 3^rd on debut in a fast time over 1000M back in July. She’s not been seen since and today’s conditions will be very different. However, the Kim Young-kwan/Djordje Perovic combination is a difficult one to overlook and she is the pick here. (11) GALAXY ROAD debuted in the same race running 6^th. The step up in trip may suit and the only colt in the race can improve here. (1) NEW LUX has shown improvement across three outings so far. She came from well off the pace to run 4^th last start recording the best time at this distance of any of these and look for her to run on strong late once more. (2) LUCKY MAGIC backs up quickly having put in an indifferent run two weeks ago but can improve here. (10) MAGIC STEALTH too has been knocking on the door of the places for a while and is another who should finish strongly.

Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

The fourth event is a competitive maiden event where a case can be made for many runners. (5) PERDIDO FASHION has had four trials before lining up in his debut race. He has been prepared to debut twice this year but has been denied his chance due to the Covid hiatuses. His most recent trial was very good when clocking a fast time, coasting through the line with minimal urging. Two-year-old (3) BANJIUI GIJEOK finished off in good style at her debut run over the 1000m. It looks as if she will appreciate the step up to the six furlongs and should be considered a winning chance. (11) CATCH THE VICTORY debuted back in August in a two-year-old event where the Hansen colt finished third. He looks another that should appreciate the extra furlong today. Djordje Perovic will have to produce a gem of a ride to overcome barrier twelve. (2) BABY LINE has had the two starts for two minor placings. The Officer colt is likely to sit in the first couple or runners early in the race, he should have every chance as they turn for home.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Tricky race this with plenty looking ready to step up. There is just the solitary debut-maker here but it does catch the eye. (4) ENDLESS RUNNING ran 2^nd in a trial in a good time just a couple of weeks ago and with Perovic aboard will warrant consideration. (1) WONDERFUL SECRET ran 4^th on debut just two weeks ago leading in the early part of the race before running on adequately enough. He should have come on for the run and can go closer today, most likely leading again. (8) TRIPLE STORM has given himself too much to do on each of three appearances to date but has run on strongly each time. He has an additional half furlong to play with today and can get closer. (10) MOVIE BROTHER has a 2^nd and a 3^rd to his name already and should be at least aiming for another place here. (9) TOHAM STRONG is the most experienced in the race and while that’s not really a good thing in a maiden, should have enough about him to get close.

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

A field of twelve maiden gallopers will line up over 1400m in the sixth event on the card. (6) CHEONGDAM DRIVE lines up for his first run since August when finishing third over the same distance. The Rock Hard ten colt looks as if he will be one of the pacemakers in the race, showing plenty of early speed last time out. Expect the three-year-old to cross in the early stages and take some running down. (2) INDIAN PARTY improved at his most recent effort back in August when settling in the leading division and eventually running third. From barrier two rider Jo In-Kwon may should be able to kick up and hold a prominent position. (4) STAR EYE lines up for his second start after rattling home on debut in a race over the six furlongs. The Violence colt will naturally appreciate the step up to the 1400m. Lee Hyo-sik needs to ensure the deficit at the top of the straight is not too great to reel in. (11) ADELE FIRST is yet to place after four career starts but looks capable of running into some minor money. The Bob And John filly will line up over the 1400m for the first time today.

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

Another race with plenty of live chances. (2) TOP LUCKY was a front-running 2^nd at class and distance three weeks ago and is nicely drawn to get on speed again. She has been a touch inconsistent over five starts so far but should be close. A wide draw doesn’t harm the prospects of (12) MAGIC PARTNER. The Tapizar gelding has the best time of any of these at this distance and should run on strong late on. (1) TOP MATE is up in class following back to back runner-up finishes from his first two runs. He takes a considerable step up in trip too but looks to have scope for more development and should be a factor. Also up in class is (10) DOCTOR KHAN. He was indifferent on debut at this trip in July but looks ready for another crack following a 3^rd and then a maiden win back at 1200M. (9) BEAUTIFUL GALLOP is another serious contender having run on well for 2^nd place at 1300M last start and is nicely in the weights today.

Race 8: Class 5 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The eighth race will a very competitive Class Five event take place. (3) PAI BLADE is the on top selection after backing up his maiden victory with a good performance to finish second over the 1400m. The four-year-old is yet to finish worse than third from four starts and should handle the step-up to the mile with ease. (2) JEONSEOLUI FIGHT handed in a good performance last time out to finish runner-up to Sky Win over the mile. The galloper’s consistency sees him line up in Class5 company without a maiden win yet. He gets a great chance to sit just off speed and run over the top of his rivals in the final stages. (6) MISS ADELE is another yet to win but has shown glimpses of promise in her eleven start career to date. She lined up in the inaugural running of the Luna Stakes last start for the fillies, where she was severely outclassed. With fresh legs she is capable of running into the money. (4) PORRIMA has broken the heart of many punters in her six start career to date. The Old Fashioned filly has placed on four occasions and with just 51kg on her back she must be considered.

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

(9) NICE ONE steps rapidly up in class having won his latest two in fine style. Today sees a significantly stiffer assignment but the manner of his last start win at this distance suggests he needs to be taken seriously. Four of these raced each other at class and distance back on August 28^th. (4) GOOD THUNDER came out the best of them that day with a good 2^nd place. He has won over this distance and has never finished worse than 5^th in seven outings. While he carries an additional 2kg today, he still has solid claims. (8) ACE BOOM ran 4^th in that race and can aim to match or better that today. (11) VEGA THUNDER has just the one win from nine starts but has finished runner-up on no fewer than six occasions. The win might be beyond him again but don’t rule him out of going close once more. (1) DAEDONG GISANG and (3) FINE TRUMPET are others in the hunt while (6) QUEEN OF THE WORLD was overmatched in the Oaks but should find today’s company more amenable.

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

A field of twelve will face the starter in the tenth where there appears to be a handful of chances. The win of (3) AKER’S DREAM back in August was very good. The Discreet Cat colt clocked a good time when taking up the lead and never being caught. He stays in the same grade but will carry an additional 4kg. He goes over the same distance once again and looks a great chance of back to back wins. (6) CHEAT KEY comes off a last start second in this grade behind Black Eagle Wind back in August. The import normally races in the first four or so runners and he should get the chance to do so once again with limited pace engaged. A maiden win does not look too far away. (10) HANBIT YEONGGWANG has finished second at her past three starts. The consistent type has shown a liking for the sprint distances. She gets in well in the weight scale with just the 54kg on her back. (9) ROCKY SKY will line up for his first run since January. The Sky Mesa gelding trialed up in September clocking a good time. Keep the three-year-old safe in your novelty bets.

Race 11: Class 3 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

(2) RETURN OF SUBSIDY ran a useful 5^th on his first try at this distance in August. He doesn’t win out of turn but the booking of a promising apprentice jockey takes 4kg off his back this time around and he has claims here to go very close. The experienced pair of (6) GANGHAN JILJU and (4) GYEONGJUUI DUREBAK came home 3^rd and 4^th when they raced each other at class and distance at the end of August. Both are very capable and despite the weights they carry, they should both be competing here. (1) GWANGHWAMUN SIDAE was a touch disappointing on his latest appearance back in August but he has won at this distance in the past and is worth another chance here. (9) ORYONG has plenty of quality and while he hasn’t been at his best in his recent appearances, is a very capable type and can’t be discounted. (8) CURLIN TIME and (12) MALIBU BYEOL are among others in the frame.