A year ago, Vincero Cavallo became the first horse to sweep all three legs of the Korea Sprint Series. Now, the five-year-old is one race from doing it all again as he enters the favourite for the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday. FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON SUNDAYhttps://korearacing.live/2026/05/15/sroa-chairmans-sprint-sunday-seoul-busan-race-by-race-preview-may-17/.
Having lost his form in the second half of 2025, VINCERO CAVALLO wasn’t sent off as favourite for either the Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) or the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) but after comfortably scoring by two lengths in both races, the Seo In-seok trained five-year-old has reconfirmed his status as the nation’s top sprinter. He will be favourite this time and at his best, is untouchable by this set of rivals.
If Vincero Cavallo isn’t at his best, WINNER CLEAR, who was the market elect in both the first two legs of the Series, may take advantage. Seo Seung-un, who rode him to 5th place in the SBS Sports keeps faith, and so will plenty of backers. WONDERFUL GROOM and HAKSAN SPEED, 2nd and 3rd in the SBS Sports, will also have their supporters.
The wildcard is FINAL K. He won five of his first seven starts between September 2024 and June 2025 with his only defeats coming at Listed level as a juvenile and then in the G3 Owners’ Cup at Busan. He had several injury setbacks after that and didn’t race again until April 18th when he made a winning return at class 1 level over 1200M, beating I’m Jjang.
Final K can have derived plenty of benefit from that run and as the one who doesn’t have form to overturn on Vincero Cavallo, the Cairo Prince four-year-old could have as much chance as any of pulling off a surprise.
The SROA Chairman’s Sprint is race 8 on a ten-race card at Seoul that also features the Listed Sports Chosun over 2000M.
1. SILVER RAIN – Three-time winner over this distance and hinted at a return to form with 4th place over 1400M on April 19th. He is a solid class 2 horse but looks overmatched in this company.
2. BEOLGYOUI KKUM – 4th at big odds in the SBS Sports when on pace throughout. Draws very nicely to be on the pace again and another money finish can’t be ruled out. Four-time winner at this distance.
3. VINCERO CAVALLO – The one to beat having comfortably scored in both the Busan Ilbo and SBS Sports both times sitting behind the speed and proving far too strong late on. Jo Jae-ro can pick his spot and his best is too good.
4. BEOLGYO VERITAS – All of his six wins have come at this distance, but they have been in much more amenable company than this. 9th of fourteen in the SBS Sports when getting a long way back suggest plenty to find.
5. HAKSAN SPEED – 4th in the Listed Segye Ilbo in February and then 3rd in the SBS Sports Sprint announced the arrival of this Mucho Macho Man colt into he Sprint elite. Can race on pace or handy and he can be in the finish.
6. CROWN HAMSEONG – She hasn’t quite held her form since winning the Segye Ilbo last year. 7th in that race this time around and then 9th of sixteen in the Ttukseom Cup at 1400M on the Queens’ Tour. CC climbs off in favour of Haksan Speed.
7. I’M JJANG – Solid class 1 horse but was a 10th of twelve in the Busan Ilbo before running a close 2nd to Final K on April 18th. Has never won at this distance and can get a long way back in his races leaving him a bit too much to do.
8. VANGIE – Four-time winner over this distance up to class 2 level. Missed the top four for the first time in his latest start at 1400M on April 26th. Ver solid campaigner but has a bit to find in this company.
9. WINNER CLEAR – Was sent off as favourite over in both the Busan Ilbo and SBS Sports only t be soundly defeated in 2nd and 5th. Both times getting quit far back. Seven-time winner at the distance including at class 1, Seo Seung-un stays on and it could right.
10. BORN DIA – Narrowly beaten by Winner Clear at Class1 in January, she led both the Busan Ilbo and the SBS Sports didn’t see things out either time. A wider draw may encourage a different tactic, or it might just mean she uses up even more early energy.
11. VICS GO – Has only won once but it was the Segye Ilbo Trophy two years ago. E registered back-to-back class 1 wins at 1800M in March but was well beaten in the G3 YTN Cup at 2000M last time out. Only Vincero Cavallo as a higher rating but others favoured.
12. WONDERFUL GROOM – In great form with back-to-back class 2 wins at a mile followed by a 2nd place at big odds in the SBS Sports from an even wider draw. He will be much shorter here and can be finishing strongly again.
13. FINAL K – The wildcard. His only defeats have been at Listed and Graded level and he returned from several months out to win at class 1 over this distance on April 12th. Draw no problem and stripping fitter for that run, he can challenge.
14. FANTASTIC KINGDOM – First appearance since an excellent 3rd place in the Busan Ilbo and before that was 4th to Winner Clear and Born Dia. Comes in fresh but races best on pace so the wide draw can be an issue.
15. GOLDEN AIR – Won over this distance at class 3 level two starts back and is a solid campaigner at that level. Well back behind Vangie at class 2 on March 27th and may well start as the longest shot on the board.
16. BLACK MUSK – The veteran ran 8th in the Busan Ilbo and 7th in the SBS Sports. He perhaps isn’t at the same level as he was when winning at class 1 and then running 4th n the Korea Sprint last summer, but he will run his race and beat plenty.
| Selections | (3) Vincero Cavallo (13) Final K (9) Winner Clear (12) Wonderful Groom |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 10, 14 |
Horse Racing in Korea 