Seoul takes the final weekend of the year off so there is a rare Saturday card at Busan. 10 races from 10:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Juveniles to kick things off with and a likely strong favourite with (10) DAMYANG GONGJU having run 3^rd and 2^nd on her two starts to date, beating a couple of these along the way. She’s come from wide gates both times and should make the breakthrough here. (8) NEW JACK SWING was 5^th behind Damyang Gongju on what was his debut on November 24^th and can get closer today while (6) SAKISAKI overcame an awkward start to put in a decent performance on what was her second outing last time and looks to have a strong placing chance too.  Among the debut-makers, (7) PARK MINISTER is the only one that stands out so expect the other two experienced ones, (3) SWEET MEMORY and (9) RAON JEONSEOL to also have some backers for improvement.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 55 Million

Juveniles once more and once more another strong favourite is likely. This time it’s (4) UJU DAEWANG with a 2^nd and 3^rd from two prior efforts who’ll be heavily backed. She led for much of her last race only to get overhauled in the closing stages but should have come on for that and can lead all the way this time. (9) BAEKDU JEONGGI began in an over-leisurely manner on debut three weeks ago but still ran on nicely enough and looks a clear second choice here with (2) STAR WOMAN the pick of the other three who have raced before. There are four first-time starters. (3) YUSEONG SPEED won her trial and could be interesting first-up while jockey/trainer combination for (5) ADELEUI SIN may tempt some too.

Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Tougher one to call this but (5) ADELE HERO and (7) GOLDEN TROPHY both come in having shown some ability at the distance and in a race with no obvious early pace, they may be tempted to take it on and one of them could go all the way. Adele Hero perhaps more likely to still be there at the business end of the race. (8) B.K MASTER has shown signs of improving – he started badly and lost a shoe last time but still managed 4^th – while (1) NEUTRON is slow but should plod his way past plenty in the closing stages here.  (4) HWANNGEUMBITYEONGU was a much improved 3^rd last start and goes at the distance for the first time. (3) GOLDEN JOY got a very unfortunate trip on debut and could be the wildcard.

Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(7) HWARANGUI HUYE comes in off three consecutive 4^th place finishes and wasn’t too far away from 2^nd place in a decent contest over this distance last time. He’s got a good chance of going better here. (10) ORYONG raced a bit greenly on debut over 1000M on December 1^st but still did enough to win quite comfortably. He’s up in class and in distance and will need to find a bit more but he should be competitive if his manners have improved. Also up in distance is (9) SUPER TRAIN and that may well suit having run on well for 5^th over 1000M on his first try at this class three weeks ago. (3) BLESS YOU ran well for 3^rd at the distance last start and should be in the hunt as should (5) JILJU DAEJANG.

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

(7) SUPER STEAL didn’t get the best of trips last time but still managed to finish a strong 2^nd over 1300M. He surely has a win in him at this level and has beaten several of these in recent outings and looks to be the one to beat today, possibly getting an easy leadRead more of this post