Sunday sees the 2nd leg of the 2022 Korea Sprint Series with the SROA Chairman’s Sprint at Seoul. Click here for the full runner-by-runner preview of the big G3 race. There are 11 races at Seoul as well as 6 at Busan. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Big field of three-year-old maidens in the opener. The one to beat is (4) BLUE INDY. Having trialed up well, he ran 3^rd on debut over this distance on April 23^rd, when settling midfield and finishing off well. With some natural improvement here, he may be hard to beat. (10) BURUI JILJU showed significant improvement at start number three on March 27^th when settling right back and running on strongly for 3^rd in a fair time on a wet track. The manner of that run suggests the wide draw won’t be a problem and he should be running on strong again. (2) EUNHYE GUY was ordered back to trial after his debut last place on March 19^th. He looked a completely different prospect when passing that trial on April 29^th and from a much better draw, compared to the widest on debut, he may go much better. (9) PERMISSION TO WIN and (1) NB JEONSA are others to consider.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The first division of a split maiden. (9) TROT QUEEN has steadily improved across six starts to date with her best two finishes coming in her latest two with a 3^rd place at 1300M and then 2^nd at 1200M, the latter having led almost the entire way around on April 17^th. She was favourite that and will probably be so again and this time she can go one better. (4) EAST MAGIC comes in following his joint-best finish so far when 4^th at this distance on April 2^nd. From a good draw he can join Trot Queen on the early speed and should be in this a long way. (6) SINJURYU has gone well in his latest two and the engagement of an apprentice today brings his carried weight right down. He can settle handy or midfield and has the fastest final furlong average time in the field so should be running on strong. (8) GEOLJAK MAN and (5) POSA POSA are others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The second division of the split maiden. It’s not a strong race so we’re prepared to take a chance on one of the two first-time starters, (2) RED WARRIOR. He was on pace throughout his heat, eventually crossing the line in 2^nd place and while it wasn’t a fast time, he is not exactly facing a lot of speedy types here. He gets a great draw, and the stable is in form. (1) DOWN THE ZONE took a few goes to figure things out but her latest two have been fine efforts, finishing in 3^rd place on both occasions, both at this distance and both stalking the leader. She draws well again, carries the same weight, and could well start as the betting favourite. (4) OKDONG GONGJU has the fastest time among those who have tackled the distance before. She comes in with her recent form reading consistently and looks set to be in the finish here. (3) QUEEN OF RACING and (6) GLOBAL STORM others who can compete for the minor money.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies in the South Coast opener and it’s a small but tricky field. (4) HAENGBOKAN HAMAN ran 4^th on debut over 1200M on April 29^th having been handy to the speed throughout. She should have come on for that run, she draws nicely again and is a leading contender here. (3) GOLD SWEET has a 2^nd and a 4^th to her name from three appearances so far with the 2^nd, both of those coming at 1200M. She ran on pace in both of those and is nicely drawn to compete for the early lead again and to be in this a long way. (5) TWO TWO BRAIN and (2) GAMDONG ENERGY came home 2^nd and 3^rd respectively when they raced each other at 1200M on April 22^nd. Two Two Brain came from off the pace while Gamdong Energy was up with the leaders throughout although the former ultimately came off best by three-lengths. Both can be in the hunt here. Among the rest, (6) EURO STAR perhaps has the potential for improvement.   

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

Fillies and mares only here and (9) CHEONMA BISANG is set to be hot favourite. Her solitary win came two starts back at this class in a similar all-filly affair at this class and distance before running 4^th, again at class and distance, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. She is yet to finish outside the top five and her style means the relatively wide draw shouldn’t be a problem. She can settle back and be too strong in the run here. (2) SILVER STAR hinted at a return to form at her latest start in a similar race to this on April 2^nd when settling midfield and running on for 4^th. She draws well here and should be available at an each-way prince. (11) HAPPY MIX finished well back behind Cheonma Bisang two starts back but that has been her only poor showing to date. She led in her latest at class and distance on April 24^th, ultimately finishing 3^rd, and while drawn wide and up slightly in weights, can be in the mix today. (8) ONE MORE RUSH and (4) WONDERFUL SAM are others to consider.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

This is a weak maiden. (9) SINUI JEONSA raced twice without distinction around the turn of 2020 and 2021 and then did not reappear until this spring. When he did, he looked a much better prospect, showing well in a trial before running 3^rd on his racecourse return over this distance on April 24^th, sitting on pace throughout. With the same apprentice keeping his weight light, he is the one to beat today. (2) WORLD FOUR A will get plenty of backers. Not only is he from the Kim Young-kwan stable, but he is also a half-brother to World Day (nine wins from nineteen) and he ran a fast time in what was admittedly a fast run trial. He draws well and couldn’t ask for a better race to debut in. (8) BLUE CAPTAIN comes in having run 3^rd at this class over 1300M on April 15^th having led early. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and can aim for at least the places again here. (4) VICTORY NINE and (3) DOCTOR PENTAGON are others in the minor money frame.