Busan flies solo on Saturday with 10-races from 13:30 to 18:00. A reminder that Busan Racecourse as well as Off-track betting centres across the south of the country will be open (attendance must be pre-booked using the MyCard app, Seoul Racecourse and all locations in the Greater Seoul area remain closed. The meeting is on the international simulcast. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Fillies only to kick things off. Six of the twelve have raced before and one of them is a prior winner. That’s (2) DONGBANUI SIJAK, who scored on debut back in October over 1200M. She ran poorly on reappearance but bounced back with a 3^rd place just before Christmas. She drops back to the short course for the first time today and is in with a shout. So too (7) SEOBU QUEEN. A half-sister to the outstanding Seobu Cat, she ran 3^rd on debut at this distance before running out of steam a little second-up at 1200M but drops back today and into contention. As for the first-timers, the standout is (4) BLACK OLIVE. She was an accomplished 3^rd in a fast trial behind two experienced racehorses and should go well first up. (1) RAON THE BLUE did absolutely nothing in her two trials but she is a half-sister to an Oaks winner (as well as a few ordinary ones too) and has a top jockey on so may attract some interest. Returning to those with experience, (6) PARTY INDY has two 5^th place finishes among three starts to date and can aim for some minor money again.

Selections	(4) Black Olive (2) Dongbanui Sijak (7) Seobu Queen (6) Party Indy
Next Best	1, 10
Fast Start	4, 6, 8, 10i

Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(1) AFLEET TAPIT didn’t do an awful lot on debut over 1200M back in October but returned with a positive trial two weeks ago and looks set to improve today. Likely favourite and one to beat though is (3) DONGNAM BULPAE. While he hasn’t shown a lot in the way of speed across three starts to date, he impressed with a front running 2^nd over this distance last time out from a favourable draw again, can go one better this time. Also expected to be on pace will be (6) KING BID. He came home 5^th last start beating a couple of these in the process, having previously run 3^rd at 1000M. Seo Seung-un remains aboard and he should go close. Plenty of others have the potential to step up into the placing frame with (9) DREAM DANCER and (8) WONDERFUL SMARTY perhaps the best credentialed to do so.

Selections	(3) Dongnam Bulpae (1) Afleet Tapit (6) King Bid (9) Dream Dancer
Next Best	8, 12
Fast Start	3, 6, 10, 12

Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

After running 4^th on debut all the way back last July, (13) ETERNAL HERO returned in November and closed out the year with back to back runner-up finishes over 1200M. He gets another crack at class 6 today and stepping up to 1400M for the first time, can defy the wide draw to make the breakthrough. (10) KING BROTHER comes in off a 2^nd place last start when he beat a couple of his rivals here. He has mixed his form over seven outings to dare but does have experience of the distance and looks a solid place chance. So too does (3) GREAT GO. She too beat two of these on his way to a useful 4^th continuing a positive run of form. The filly can settle in midfield and finish strongly and having a 5^th to her name over a mile already means there shouldn’t be any questions about the trip. (4) K K WON came from off the pace to run a much improved 3^rd on his latest start and is another who can be considered for the minors. (7) FIRST WIND and (8) STAR EYE should also be in the hunt.

Selections	(13) Eternal Hero (10) King Brother (3) Great Go (8) Star Eye
Next Best	4, 7
Fast Start	1, 7, 13

Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 32 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (1) ADELE PUPIL was a smart winner on debut back in July last year over 1200M. She’s not raced since but trialed two weeks ago in adequate fashion. The trip looks likely to suit and it’s not impossible she could win first-up again, despite being up in class. She may need this though so punters may be tempted by a couple of others. (7) MARK ACE is perhaps the most likely. She’s never been worse than 5^th in five starts to date and comes in off a strong 3^rd over 1200M. (9) ACHIM BIT is similar, having run on well for 3^rd in both her latest two outings and the additional trip may suit here. (11) PORRIMA has been the bane of punters – or at least tipsters – in the past, frequently looking like she is just one race away from breaking through only to just come up short. A couple of months off may have done her good and while she can’t be put on top, she may well place. (2) JANGMI GONGJU, a last start 3^rd, is another in the frame.

Selections	(7) Mark Ace (1) Adele Pupil (9) Achim Bit (11) Porrima
Next Best	2, 3
Fast Start	3, 7, 11

Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 42 Million

Competitive race here. (3) RAON SKY MAN won his first two and while it has seemingly taken him a couple of races to get to grips with this level of racing, he comes in here following a strong 3^rd place over this distance in a decent time just before Christmas. He has experience of the distance and shouldn’t be far away today. (5) YESULUI GYEUNGJI likewise began her career in a hurry with two wins from her first three before stuttering a little. She too is back in form with a front-running 2^nd last start and has claims to go one better today. (6) WINNING DANCER is two from four so far and her class and distance 7^th last start was no disgrace at all. She should have come on from that and has the combination of a top jockey and a very light weight on her back. The only last start winner in the field is (14) CAPTAIN STEALTH. He came from well off the pace to score at this class over 1200M on December 19^th. The outside gate shouldn’t cause too many problems and he can go close again. 

Continue reading ”Busan Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 20)”