Road To Korea Sprint

Road To Korea Sprint Kicks Off Sunday at Busan

The first Group race of the Korean season finally takes place on Sunday as the Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) kicks off the Sprint Series on the South Coast, and with it the road to September’s International Korea Sprint. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES AT SEOUL AND BUSAN.

It’s been a while since Eoma Eoma prevailed (Pic: KRA)

Thirteen will take their chance at Busan on Sunday, and there could be a changing of the guard at last in the speed division with BLACK MAMBA set to be the warm favourite. Although already five-years-old, he has had an interrupted career, finishing down the field behind Global Hit in the 2023 Korean Derby and then not racing again until April of the following year.

Black Mamba has assembled a record of eight wins from thirteen starts and was 2nd in the Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy over 1400M last November before putting together back-to-back one-turn class 1 wins. The son of With Distinction is in pole position in gate one to get his first Group race success.

At the start turn of the year VINCERO CAVALLO was set to be the next big thing over the shorter distances. His stock took a hit somewhat when only managing 8th of twelve on last month’s Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy at Seoul but the Seo In-seok trainee will have backers to return to form here.

Meanwhile, the old-guard is represented by 2022 Korea Sprint winner EOMA EOMA, who may have lost a yard of pace or so still has plenty of quality as well as the in-form CC Wong returning to the mount.

The wildcards are WINNER CLEAR, a two-time Listed winner in juvenile races at this distance last autumn, and CHOEGOUI KKUM a winner of five from six who races for the first time since last September.

The Busan Ilbo Sprint is the final race on the 6-race Sunday card at Busan with a local post time of 16:30.

1. BLACK MAMBA (KOR) – Emphatic class 1 winner at this distance in December and 1400M in January and beat plenty of these when 2nd in the Kookje Shinmun Trophy last November. Great draw and big chance.

2. LEEWOLMA (KOR) – Well back behind Vincero Cavallo and others last start but is a solid class 1 campaigner. Comes in fresh after thirteen weeks out but first time in Group company and others favoured.

3. VINCERO CAVALLO (KOR) – Multiple class 1 winner at this distance but disappointed in the Listed Segue Ilbo Trophy at this distance on February 16th and other than a bump at the start didn’t have many excuses. Well worth another chance today from a great draw.

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