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Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Unusually for a Sunday, we start at Busan and a maiden for fillies only opens proceedings. (4) NEOM CITY has shown steady progress across six starts to date, culmination in a runner-up finish over 1300M on May 26th in a very similar race to this. She can settle in midfield before running on to go one better this time. (10) DREAM TREE ran a fair 4th of twelve on debut over this distance back in March. She has had a further fourteen weeks off since, but she showed a nice late turn of foot that day and she can be a danger. (2) DAESUNG DOLPUNG enters off a to date best of 3rd at 1200M on June 16th. She makes a quick return here and from a nice draw should be in the mix. (8) GOLDMASK and (1) GREEN LEGEND are the other main contenders.

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(7) CHARON TODAY will be a hot favourite here. A winner and two-time placer before a layoff, she returned from nine months away to run 5th over 1200M on June 14th when leading and running out of steam. She should strip fitter for that run, she should be on pace again, and this limited field may not be able to stop her. (8) MACH MAN will need a line drawn through his latest on May 25th but if we go on his class and distance 3rd two starts back then he is in placing contention here. (1) VALHALLA too was only ordinary on his most appearance in April. He was a good winner over 1200M in February and then proved competitive at this class in March when 5th over 1400M. CC climbs on and from the inside gate, he can be close. (11) TWO TWO LIME and (5) RAINBOW ROAD perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

The capital opens with a maiden where five of the nine line up for the first time and one of those debut-makers, (3) DAESEONG STAR, will be the strong favourite. He came from off the pace to run 2nd in his trial in late May in a quick time. Moon Se-young is engaged and the two-year-old won't need to find much on that trial to win this. Of the experience, (2) KYLIE is the best of a weak bunch. She hinted at figuring things out with an improved 5th place on June 1st over 1300M when racing on pace. She will be on speed here and can be close. It gets hard after that. (4) FLYING RED was much improved in a second trial and beat a couple of his fellow debut makers in the process, so that is enough for him to go into the numbers here. (5) GEUMSEONG POWER and (1) CANVASEN GO are experienced ones who may – and may is very much the operative word – improve. 

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Plenty of chances here. (11) COLUMBIA CHAMP come sin off a very close 2nd place over 1200M when coming off the pace from a similarly wide draw. She hasn't gone well at the 1300M before, but she could be ready for another crack and third-up this preparation following four-months off, she can be peaking fitness-wise. (5) DRAGON PUNCH returns to action for the first time since February. She looked very well when 3rd in a quick trial last week and so long as she didn't leave her race there, can go well first-up. (7) GONJOHARI got his maiden win at 1200M in April before finishing down the field on his first try at this class and distance on June 2nd. He comes into a better gate today and can be given another chance. (8) FANTASTIC DREAM and (3) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL among plenty of others in the money frame.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(4) LEGEND TAP is the one to beat. He enters off a 3rd place over this distance on June 15th when as is his style, he came from off the pace and ran on well. He draws nicely, Moon Se-young takes over in the saddle, and he will take some beating. (5) HIPPODROME has mixed his form across five starts so far but his last outing was a solid one when 4th over 1300M. He comes up to this distance for the first time and he shapes as the main danger. (11) GANGCHEOL JEONSA was an improved 4th at start number three over 1300M on May 19th and can continue to make progress in this company. (9) LONDON GOLD and (1) DAEMUL SOCKS other minor money chances.

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

(4) OASIS BLUE ran out a good winner on debut over 1400M on May 26th, settling midfield and running on well. He comes up in class and also rapidly up to the 1800M, but he carries a light weight and looks to have plenty of potential. (1) EUNSEONG CHAMPION got his maiden win at a mile in March and has since followed up with two 3rd place finishes at this class, most recently on his first try at two turns on May 26th when he led for most of the way around. He draws well to lead again and will be in this a long way. That will mean overturning the form on (5) YEONGGWANGUICLASS, who ran 2nd in that May 26th race, finishing strongly. Yet to win in twelve attempts his recent form reads well and he can be there or thereabouts again. (8) POSTMAN and (11) TOP FRIEND are the two others who will be in the market.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

It's about time (2) AUSTIN LEADER won again. It's been seven tries since he scored and he has been up and down in recent outings but in terms of distance, draw, jockey booking, and calibre of opposition, everything looks to come together here. He has the fastest time of any of these for the 1400M and can be close to the pace and win. (10) EUREKA is another who doesn't win out of turn but has plenty of experience at this level and enters off a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two. The wide draw shouldn't be a problem and he can be a danger late. (5) STRENGTH got the worst of a very tight three-way finish at class and distance on June 8th having led for most of the way. He'll be on pace and in the finish again. (1) ARCH RUNNER and (9) P N S NALA others to consider in wider numbers.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) MOTHER MOUNTAIN has been working back towards another win with a 3rd and a 2nd in her latest two, most recently a quick race at class and distance on June 7th. She continues under a light weight, draws well, and can go one better. (9) GLOBAL WEEK was an all the way winner over 1400M on May 5th. He is up in class but down in weight and in trip and can measure up in this company. (7) YEONGGWANGUI TANK beat Mother Mountain when the pair finished 1st and 3rd respectively in a quick race at class and distance on May 12th. He followed up with a 2nd place – albeit well back behind a strong winner – on June 2nd, racing on pace both times. He carries 5kg more than in that May win, but his form is good. (6) FLYING ACE and (8) CAPTAIN COMMANDO are the other chances. 

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Plenty come in with recent form reading well, but the favourite will be (8) THORUI MANGCHI. It took him a while to figure things out, but he now has two runner-up finishes at this class most recently when stepped up to this trip for the first time on May 26th and beaten by Naraola (who was in on Saturday). He carries his fair share of weight but won't need to be much better to win this. (3) BAZOOKA BOY was a winner at this distance at class 6 level two starts back, leading all the way, then tried to repeat the trick on his first go at this level on June 1st, ultimately finishing 3rd. He looks nicely in here to at least place again. (5) DONGHAENG FIRST beat Bazooka Boy when 2nd in that June 1st race and warrants respect here. (4) POWER ETCHED was a last start class and distance winner and while up 3.5kg in the weights shouldn't be dismissed. (6) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA is rarely too far away.

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

(8) HUNTER DRAGON has five top-two finishes from six starts so far and comes in following a runner-up finish at this class over 1800M on June 9th when he led for much of the way. He carries his fair share of weight but comes back in trip and can win here. (7) BURUI JEWANG enters seeking a hat-trick, having won his latest two, most recently at this class and distance on May 31st, when handy throughout and running on well. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights, but Franco remains up, he should be on pace, and he has every chance. (2) BREEDO WIZARD is yet to win but comes up in class having finished no worse than 4th in eight attempts. From a good draw and under a light weight, he tackles 1400M for the first time, and it may suit. (9) BRUG KINGMAN is another hat-trick seeker. Both wins were at this distance and while up in class, he should be in the finish.  (1) CHEONMA HASEO perhaps the best of the rest.

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) RAON CITY GIRL is in good form with a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, both at this class over 1200M. Previous spins at this slightly extended trip haven't been successful but she draws nicely, carries a light weight, and if she can get a forward position this time, can be in this all the way. (6) CHANGJOUI ACHIM is an import who began at this level and has been figuring things out with a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two at 1400M and 1300M. He is nicely weighted and can continue to make progress here. (8) CHADOL DIA steps back into shallower waters than her latest three which included Seoul's Classic trial and a valuable Trophy race. She will be expected to be on pace here and will have backers to make all. (2) JEONGMUN PAPAGO and (3) T.C FAMILY others in the hunt.

Busan Race 7: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(8) GREAT ONE is ultra-experienced and enters in very good form as while it is eight starts since his last win, he has a 2nd and a 3r from his latest two, both at class and distance. He is up slightly in the weights here but could have too much. (5) HWANGU FIGHTER has never finished outside of the top five in thirteen races. He reappears here for the first time since last September but looked well when running 2nd in a quick trial at the start of the month and can go well first-up here. (2) GEUMA DISTINCTION needs a line drawn through his latest on June 14th when he missed the top three for the first time. Seo Seung-un returns today, he draws well and can be given a chance for his first try at 1800M. (4) LIGHT STORY and (7) EUMSEONG YEONGUNG others in the frame.

Seoul Race 6: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(9) GEOLJAK CHOEGANG has won his latest two most recently at this class and distance eon May 12th when handy throughout and stopping the clock in a good time. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but he is favoured to score again. (3) MIGHTY JJANG is similarly on a hat-trick having won his latest two. He comes up in class after back-to-back scores over 1400M but is down in the weights and draws nicely to be on pace for his first try at a mile. Maintaining the theme, (5) ACE GUNJU took ten attempts to get his maiden win but clearly enjoyed it as he added another on May 18th. Like Mighty Jjang he comes up in class and distance but can measure up under a light weight and he will be coming from off the pace. (1) GLADIUS and (7) MR. QUALITY others in the frame in a race containing plenty of quality.

Busan Race 8: Class Open (1600M) Weight for Age / Owners' Cup (KOR G3) / KRW 500 Million

The final Group race of the first half of the year and it's a fascinating affair where a set of top sprinters take on a set of top stayers over the arguably "neutral" distance of a mile, and it has attracted a full field of sixteen. Given such uncertainties, we'll take a chance on the exciting (3) SKY WIND. He hasn't put a foot wrong in three starts so far, winning at 1200M and 1800M in contrasting styles. He draws well, he gets a weight allowance as a three-year-old, Seo Seung-un rides, and he can maintain his 100% record. Mixing with this lot could, of course, be too much too soon. (6) TUHONUI BANSEOK enters having taken out the final leg of the Stayer Series. He is one for one over a mile and being a front runner, may relish the opportunity to return to the distance. At start twenty-nine, the seven-year-old (10) EOMA EOMA comes up to a mile for the very first time. His racing style has evolved over time, and it may just suit him at this stage. CC Wong traveling down to ride him is a plus. (7) SPEED YOUNG and (1) SOMETHING LOST, the latter Seoul's Classic trial winner over this distance, complete the top line of favourites, but it is a race any could win.

Seoul Race 7: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(2) K N SKETCH will be a strong favourite. He comes in having won at this class and distance on May 26th when he overcame a wide gate to get forward early and to finish off well. He comes up 2.5kg in the weights, but that is balanced somewhat by a better draw, and he can win again. (4) URUS QUEEN has won two of her latest three, both around two turns. She comes up in class here but is down 3.5kg in the weights and can be on pace and in this a long way. (1) MANSE is a very experienced seven-year-old and enters off back-to-back 3rd place finishes, both at this class and distance. An apprentice jockey claiming 4kg keeps his weight nice and low and he can place again. (7) MAGIC HOUR was a last start winner at this class over a mile and tackles two turns for the first time. His carried weight goes up, but he is not to be dismissed. (9) FURIOSA another to consider.

Busan Race 9: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

After an unsuccessful couple of spins around in the Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks, (6) PERFECT ACTION returns to more amenable company today. She has up to a mile and class 4 and likes to race on pace. If she can recapture her pre-Tiara form, she will be hard to beat. (8) DALLILLAEYO was a class and distance winner two starts back before running 5th on May 17th. Franco returns to the mount today and he is the main danger. (5) MONGTTANG hinted at a return to form when overcoming the widest gate to run 3rd at class and distance in March. He has had sixteen weeks off since but can go well first up. (7) VEREUDA and (2) SORI TAEPUNG are others who can challenge for the places.

Seoul Race 8: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

(1) SAENAE QUEEN was a super winner two starts back at class and distance but was unable to follow up when racing against plenty of these on May 26th when on pace but finishing 4th. She gets the inside gate here and is worth another chance. (10) LEEWOLMA is yet to finish any worse than 4th in fifteen starts. In three class 1 runs he has a win, a 2nd and a 3rd, all at further but he has also won three from four at this distance. He carries his fair share of weight here and draws wider than ideal, but he will be very dangerous. (4) FOREVER DREAM won that May 26th race and warrants respect here. (11) RAON GIANT and (8) BEST CHEONSANG among others in the hunt.