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

Unusually for a Sunday, we begin on the south coast and a maiden with six of the eleven racing for the first time. (5) SAENAE HIT is the only one to have raced three times already, and she will be favourite. Her best was her latest on December 29th when she was handy throughout and ran on for 2nd. She was well beaten by a good winner that day but won't need to improve much to win here. The best of the first timers looks like (2) TOP LINE. She only went through the one trial, but she led for most of it, ultimately crossing the line 2nd in a fair time. She draws nicely to lead again and can be in this a long way. (10) MONSTER DRAGON also trialled fairly enough and in this kind of race can be given a chance first-up. Among the others with experience, (3) HARVEST MOON and (9) GWANGSOKMA look the most likely to improve.

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

(5) DRAGON SQUARE has finished in 3rd place in both his two starts so far at 1400M and most recently at this distance, coming from off the pace both times. Third-up today, he can be peaking and Tony Castanheira's charge is the one to beat. (8) HAMPYEONG JANGMI has shown steady improvement across six appearances to date, culminating in a 2nd place over this distance on December 2nd when on pace throughout. Expect her to be on the speed again here and she can go close. (11) TONNERRE comes into slightly softer company than he has faced in his two prior outings and that, combined with the slight step up in trip, can see him more competitive today. (3) JEONGSANG HIT and (9) GANGHAN NURI are other possibles.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Tricky one. (10) LOLLY comes in having run a solid 3rd over 1400M on Christmas Eve, beating a couple of these in the process. She has proven herself a good finisher and the step up to a mile for the first time could very well suit. Four of these raced each other over this distance in a different race on Christmas Eve. (3) HERE THE QUEEN was the favourite that day but while showing handy, ultimately finished in 5th. Seo Seung-un climbs aboard today and third up this preparation, she can be peaking fitness-wise, and she will have plenty of supporters again here. The best of those in the mile race on December 24th was (2) YEONGGWANGUICLASS, who came from off the pace to run 3rd. He only comes up 1kg in the weights and he can be in the mix again. (1) MIRACULUM was 4th in that race and along with (6) LEMON DOKKI, is another to consider for the minors.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only for this maiden and (9) SHACKLE POINT will be a hot favourite. After running 3rd on debut over 1200M, she then ran 4th on a snowy day on December 16th, again at this distance. Given the running style she has displayed so far, the wide draw won't be a problem, and she can win here. The most credible danger is (3) ASSI JANGGUN. She was the longest shot on the board for her third career start on December 16th but made a mockery of that to come from off the pace for a fast-finishing 2nd. Her time was significantly quicker than that Shackle Point recorded over the same distance on the same day (although in a very differently run race) and she can be taken seriously here. (7) LADY HANABI and (8) TIZ MORNING both hinted at ability in their respective first outings and can improve here. (1) BEATRIZ debuted almost a year ago and wasn't seen again but did win a trial last week and is the wildcard.

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

A small but competitive field. (7) SUCCESS BAEKPA got his maiden win at start number four on December 10th when he led for most of the way around the 1300M and ultimately won by ten-lengths. He comes up in class and slightly in distance today, but the manner of that last start win suggests there is more to come, and he goes on top again. (2) SEUNGNI TAKEN is similarly up in class following a last start maiden win. In his case, it was over this distance on December 17th when he made all and from a good draw and slightly down in the weights, he can be in this a long way again. (6) HUIMANG CANDY got her maiden win two starts back before running 2nd on her first try at this class and distance on December 8th. She is another who likes to be on pace and who can be a threat. The rest will all need a line drawn through their respective latest outings with (5) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL and (1) QUEEN'S ROAD perhaps best placed to return to form.

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(6) ARGO MUJEOK will be favourite here. He only has the one win from fifteen starts but he enters off two smart 4th place finishes at this class over 1300M and 1200M in better company than this and having posted fast times. He'll be on pace and simply bringing the same level of performance as his last start should be enough to win this. (1) GLORY AND HONOR was 6th behind Argo Mujeok last time out at class and distance on December 16th coming from off the pace. She remains under a light weight and may offer some interest at an each-way price. (9) JANGGUN MARU and (5) HAEJE YEOGEOL both come up in class following last start wins over this distance and while the former will be more fancied, both can hold their own. (8) FIGHTING K another in the frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) FIRE MAGIC has run 2nd in both his latest two appearances, both at this class ad distance but with varying styles, both handy and from well off the pace. He carries his fair shar of weight here but that is balanced a little by the inside gate, and he will be favoured to go one better this time. (4) CHOEGANG MUJIGAE finished in 3rd place behind Fire Magic when they raced one another at class and distance on December 15th. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be a danger late again here. (8) EVERY KING IJI was 3rd last time out over 1300M. He can mix his form but looks well on a place line here. (7) ROUGH TRACER and (2) INDIAN PARTY are the other contenders for the minor money.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Tricky one. We'll take a chance on (6) LEGENDSUN, an also ran in the Listed NACF Chairman's Trophy for juveniles back in November, but a solid 3rd place at this class and distance in a quick time on December 17th when handy and finishing off well. From a central gate, he can be on pace again and can win. (8) TAMRA CHOEGANGJA returned from six months out to win well at this class over 1200M in a fast time on December 16th. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but he should strip fitter for that run and shapes as a big chance here. (11) NAMSAN MUJEOK was a winner at class and distance two starts back before running 4th when stepped up to a mile on Christmas Day. He carries 3.5kg more than that win but the wide draw shouldn't be a problem and he can be a danger. (7) MORNING BOLD and (4) CUPID VOW among other potentials.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (1) TRIPLE DREAM was a winner on debut over 1200M on December 15th, leading for almost the entire way around. She comes up in class and slightly in distance too, but neither should be an issue, and she can make it two from two. (8) SHINE FOREST also comes up in class having scored her maiden win last time out. In her case, it was at start number three, but it had been coming with a 3rd and a 2nd in her prior two. The win was over 1200M on December 1st, and it was a dominant one as she scored by eleven lengths. She can measure up here. (2) HAPPY TAEYANG is yet to win in nine attempts but enters off a strong 2nd place at class and distance on December 1st. She draws well and can be in this a long way again. (5) B.K. WARRIOR and (6) PAN STAR are others who will attract minor interest.

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

(5) MULLEBANGA will be one of the shortest priced favourites of the day. He got his maiden win at start number five over 1200M on October 29th before stepping up to this class and to 1400M and running 2nd to Okcheon Sniper on December 10th, settling back and running on well. He seems ideally suited to the two turns and while he does come up in weight by 2kg, he may take some beating. (1) HEUIMANGUI CHANGA also got his maiden win two starts back but he then came straight to 1700M for his first crack at this level on December 9th and acquitted himself well in 4th place. He should have derived benefit from the experience and can get closer this time. (3) DIVINE FUTURES completes the top line of favourites. Very experienced, he rarely runs a bad race and while he doesn't shape as a winning chance here, he shouldn't be far away. (The rest of the recent form is unconvincing with (9) SARANG DAMOA and (6) BOMNALUI GIEOK perhaps the most likely to improve.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) BLACK SPRING finished back in the field in the G2 Breeders' Cup for juveniles in December, but a line can be drawn through that and instead we go on his back-to-back wins that got him his chance in that race. He won in a super time at class 5 level over 1300M in November and while this is class 4, he should have too much here. (6) HONOR CAL has plenty of experience already at this level and enters here off a 2nd and a 4th in her latest two, both at this distance. She likes to race on pace and from a good draw she can challenge for the lead early and be in this a long way. (2) HANEUL JEWANG is also experienced at this level and comes in here following a string of near misses. He draws well and can be close today too. The up in class (8) VICTOR PARTY along with (10) SAVAHA – who will need a line drawn through his latest – are others who can enter the calculations.

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Another small but competitive field. (5) MORNING PRINCE was considered good enough to have a crack at the final leg of the Triple Crown last year and while that didn't go especially well, he hinted at a return to form with a close 5th at this class and distance on December 16th. He carries his fair share of weight today, but a return to the winner's circle shouldn't be ruled out. (6) TOUR QUEEN came up to two turns on December 10th and raced on pace as she finished 3rd over 1700M. She should have benefited from the experience and under a light weight, she can go even closer this time. (4) GRAND SILVER was beaten by (1) SAEROUN BITKKAL as the pair finished on top over 1700M on December 16th. They come up in class here, but both are down significantly in the weights and can measure up in this company. (7) MENI WONDERFUL the other placing chance.

Busan Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) BACCHUS worked his way up to his second win which came over this distance at class 5 level on December 3rd when he overcame the widest gate to sit handy. He comes up in class here but into a much better gate as well as being down significantly in the weights and he may not have to wait very long for win number three. (2) HAVE A GOOD DAY was a class and distance winner two starts back on November 5th racing on pace most of the way. He was slowly away on his return on December 8th although rallied for 4th place and with a better start, he can be closer this time. (10) THUNDER FURY won at this class over a mile on December 15th and carrying only 1kg extra, can be considered again here. (6) ZETTA DREAM and (4) BUGYEONG LION among plenty of others with placing chances.

Seoul Race 7: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Pretty much anything could win this. We'll go with (9) AMERICA GOLD, a super winner from off the pace on debut in October before running 3rd over a mile on his second start on November 19th. That's enough to bring him up in class here, but he comes down in the weights and looks to have plenty of scope for more improvement. (2) CHEONDUNG HORANGI also comes up in class, in his case following a win over 1400M on December 2nd. He has only raced four times and tackles the mile for the first time, but he too can be competitive at this level. The very experienced (4) A. P. PATEK has been working firmly back into form of late, most recently a smart 2nd place at class and distance on Christmas Day. He can be there or thereabouts again. (5) MOONHAK AFLEET and (6) K N LIGHT others to keep safe.

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

(8) CALM STRONG is a multiple Group winner in the filly and mare ranks and races for the first time since an excellent 2nd place behind Eoma Eoma in the Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy last November at 1400M when she led for much of the way. She carries plenty of weight but comes back in trip and her quality can see her through here. (4) CHOEGANG SSONSAL comes up to class 1 for the first time having won at this distance in fine style in a fast race on December 17th. It was an elite level time, albeit assisted by a wet track, and carrying a feather on his back here, he can be competitive. (7) HAPPY FEVER and (1) WINNING DANCER came home 2nd and 5th respectively when they raced one another over 1400M on December 3rd and both can be in the mix again here. (10) MIRACLE DREAMING another in the minor money frame.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) RAON TIMOTH won his first two races in good fashion and accordingly earned himself a trip down to Busan for the G2 Breeders' Cup over 1400M. He came home last in that but returns to much more amenable company under a very light weight here and it would be a surprise if he doesn't return to winning ways. (7) MISS CHARLIE is yet to win in four starts, but she has been getting closer, most recently a runner-up finish over 1300M on December 9th when handy throughout. She too is under a light weight and has the potential for more here. (3) THUNDER BLUE is up in class despite being winless at class 5. He came very close last time out though, going down very narrowly over 1200M and a 5kg drop in the weights puts him in the mix here. (2) EUNHYE and (1) MAKING STORY others to keep an eye on.

Seoul Race 9: Class 1 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

Good tussle to conclude with. (1) NUT PLAY is one of the track's upcoming stars and he dips his hoof into class 1 waters for the first time here having won the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy in September and then a competitive class 2 affair in November, both over 1800M. Prior to that he was 3rd in both the Korean Derby and the Minister's Cup, the final 2 legs of the Triple Crown, and under a very light weight, he may take some beating. One definitely capable of beating him though is (8) VICS GO. He was 6th behind the very best in both the KRA Cup Classic and the President's Cup before coming back out on December 10th and beating plenty of these over this very distance. He only comes up 1kg in the weights and has every chance of winning again. (11) YONGAM BOSS was 2nd to Nut Play in the Ilgan Sports Trophy and while he was well back behind Vics Go last time, can be given another chance here. (6) THE GUMPU may not benefit from the adjusted rating scale for class 1 that brings him down 21 points from his last start, but he should benefit from the 4kg allowance an apprentice affords him. (2) SOUL MERIT another in the frame.