Vincero Cavallo was denied a second consecutive clean sweep of the Korean Sprint Series and ultimately had to settle for 3rd as Born Dia led all the way to win the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Born DIa holds off Winner Clear (Pic: KRA)
After sending him off as the second favourite in both the first two legs of the series, punters this time finally had full faith in Vincero Cavallo, making him the 1.4 marker elect. Born Dia meanwhile was the joint second-longest shot on the board at 82.7.
From gate ten, Seo Gang-ju had a surprisingly easy time taking Born Dia across to the lead where they settled and made steady progress. Vincero Cavallo meanwhile settled midfield among a crowd of jostling horses and was quickly hemmed in on the fence.
With plenty of energy left in the home straight, Born Dia was able to keep lifting and held off the fast finishing Winner Clear by half a length, with Vincero Cavallo, who at no point in the race looked a winning chance, two lengths back in 3rd.
“I’ve worked hard since debuting, and it is nice to get the chance in a major race and to win” jockey Seo Gang-ju told KRBC after claiming his first Graded winner.
“I couldn’t be sure of the win until the very end, I knew that Vincero Cavallo and Winner Clear would be coming and that we had to stand our ground. Born Dia did that very well.”
(Pic: KRA)
Winning trainer Kwon Sung-ju told KRBC that the win made amends for a disappointing showing in the SBS Sports. “There is probably no faster starter (than Born Dia) at Seoul or Busan, but when she’s challenged, she has problems as happened in the previous race….Seo Gang-ju had his instructions and he carried them out perfectly and I’m really grateful to him.”
Winner Clear couldn’t quite get there although trainer Baik Kwang-yeol thought for a moment that he might. “I thought we’d won” he conceded to KRBC. “We finished strongly but the finish line came just too early. No regrets, we did our best”
As for Jo Jae-ro, beaten on Vincero Cavallo, he said his opposition’s game plan worked very well: “They broke away well, secured the lead as planned and then they managed their energy very effectively. There were a few collisions in there, a lot of bumping and I think ultimately (Vincero Cavallo) didn’t have enough left after that to show his usual sprinting performance. There were no other problems but sometimes the race doesn’t go as planned.”
Born Dia is a five-year-old mare by With Distinction and out of T P Mc G (by Flatter). T P Mc G was unraced but has also foaled multiple Korean winners such as Seungbusa and Black Mamba. The five-year-old is owned by Son Byeong-hyeon and moves on to seven wins from twenty-four starts.
It’s “Owners’ Day” in Seoul this Sunday and in the feature race Vincero Cavallo will bid to complete back-to-back clean sweeps of the the Sprint Series. The SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) is race 8 with a local post time of 16:30. There are 10 Sunday races in Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 in Busan from 11:25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) GOLDEN WARRIOR has started to figure things out across her latest couple with a 5th and most recently a close 3rd place on April 18th at this distance when, as has been her habit, she was slow away before running on well. So long as she doesn’t leave herself too much to do, she can win here. (6) CRUSH GIRL also came from a long way back to run a fair 4th on debut over 1200M. She should have derived benefit from that run, the slight step up in trip can suit, and she is a chance here. (4) NINE SPEAR enters off a 3rd place over 1200M on April 18th and can be in the finish again. (5) B.K. VIVACE and (9) DANAEUN RUBY are others who can be considered on a place line.
Selections
(2) Golden Warrior (6) Crush Girl (4) Nine Spear (5) B.K. Vivace
Next Best
9, 8
Fast Start
3, 4, 7, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) BEST FREEDOM has a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both times coming from just behind the speed over 1400M. There’s not much early speed in this race so he shapes as the potential leader here and he can win. (4) HWARANGSAN JEONGGI has eight top five finishes including each of his latest four, all over this distance. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be challenging late here. (8) SUNGANUI FIGHTER has mixed his form across his five appearances so far but if we go on his 2nd place at this distance at the start of March when he was on the speed, he has to be given a chance here. (6) THE SUN COMING is back in trip and comes out of a trial and along with (1) CHEONDUNGUI JILJU is another in the placing frame.
Selections
(7) Best Freedom (4) Hwarangsan Jeonggi (8) Sunganui Fighter (6) The Sun Coming
Next Best
1, 2
Fast Start
1, 2, 7, 8
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) POWERFUL BATTLE comes in off a much-improved narrow 2nd place to Powerful Thunder, who went on to win again on Friday (albeit after the favourite unseated his rider). Drawing the same inside gate he can be on pace again and this time he will be a short price to go one better. There is one debut-maker. (5) FANTASTIC CITY is a half-brother to seven-time winner Baekduui Kkum and looked competent enough in the second of two trials, settling midfield and running on pleasingly enough. This is a nice race to start off in. (8) NOBLE WIND was 4th on debut over 1200M on April 26th and with some natural improvement, can build on that here. (2) SAENAE HILL and (9) HIGH TENSION others who could compete for the minors.
Selections
(1) Powerful Battle (5) Fantastic City (8) Noble Wind (2) Saenae Hill
Next Best
9, 10
Fast Start
1, 7, 8, 10
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (1) VINCENT KATHY obliged on debut on April 12th with an all the way score over 1200M. She is up in class here and doesn’t get a weight break but from the inside gate she can lead again and win again. (11) X TEN got her maiden win three starts back over 1300M and has a 5th and a 3rd in two subsequent outings at this level. Seo Seung-un, in town for the big race later, is an interesting booking, and she will be close. (6) GANGHAN GAMMA was 3rd in that April 12th race, settling back early before being ridden up to behind the speed. She is yet to win in four attempts but that was her third consecutive placing, and she can measure up in this company. (9) CHEONG WOL and (7) MIGHTY CAP among others firmly in the hunt.
Selections
(1) Vincent Kathy (11) X Ten (6) Ganghan Gamma (9) Cheong Wol
Next Best
7, 3
Fast Start
1, 5, 7, 11
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) HWARYEOHAN SUNGAN enters off a very close 2nd place over a mile on April 19th. He also has a 3rd place at this distance and with Nam Jong-hyeok’s 2kg claim, he can make his breakthrough today. (8) SPACE GOLD has made progress across three outings so far with his best being his latest on March 1st when 4th over this distance. His times haven’t been quick, but he looks to have the potential for more and in this company, he can continue to get closer. (7) HANGANG BRAVO similarly comes in following is best to date when 4th over 1200M at the end of February. He comes in fresh following eleven weeks off and against this opposition should be aiming for better. (1) LIKE DRAGON and (2) GREAT POWER other minor money chances.
Selections
(4) Hwaryeohan Sungan (8) Space Gold (7) Hangang Bravo (1) Like Dragon
Next Best
2, 9
Fast Start
1, 2, 7, 9
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(4) AESUNI got her maiden win in convincing fashion on March 1st, leading all the way. She came close to repeating the trick on April 11th on her first try at this class, ultimately coming home 2nd. She does come up 3.5kg in weight here, but that’s balanced by a good draw and she can win here. The one she’ll need to beat is (7) GEUMJEOKSAN. She got her win at start two over this distance last November and has held her own in three outings since at this class at 1300M and 1400M. She is another who likes to be on pace and cutting back in trip, she is a big danger. (9) PANGPANG DAERO and (10) MUNHAK FIGHTER came home 4th and 5th respectively when they raced each other at this class and distance on April 18th. They both come up 2.5kg in weight, but it shouldn’t stop either from being competitive here. Up in class last start winner (5) HAKSAN TAEPUNG can measure up.
While most talk within Korean racing circles has been about whether Oasis Blue will become the first horse since Power Blade to sweep all three legs of the Triple Crown next month, at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday VINCERO CAVALLO swept to Sprint Series glory with victory in the SROA Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-G2), adding to his earlier wins in Busan Ilbo Sprint and SBS Sports Sprint.He will now target September’s international Korea Sprint.
Three and easy. Vincero Cavallo and Jo Jae-ro win the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (Pic: KRA)
The manner of his victories in the two preceding legs of the Sprint Series meant that Vincero Cavallo was sent off as a 1.5 favourite despite facing thirteen rivals on a fine Sunday Spring afternoon. Coming off the Queens’ Tour following back-to-back runner-up finishes, filly CROWN HAMSEONG was sent off second in the market, with BLACK MAMBA, 3rd in both the Busan Ilbo and in the SBS the next best.
As expected, Crown Hamseong was the quickest out of the gate and set the pace while Vincero Cavallo, not a front-runner by any means, was slightly further back than forecasted, racing in the rear-division as the field exited the back straight.
Having improved to 5th on the turn, jockey Jo Jae-ro brought his mount off the rail and with clear track in front of them, Vincero Cavallo set about reeling his rivals in, passing first Fantastic Kingdom, before accounting for Super Finish and I’m Jjang. Crown Hamseong held firm but Vincero Cavallo was relentless, passing her with just thirty metres to go but opening up a margin of almost a length on the line.
“When he started slowly and went to the back, I was a little concerned” winning trainer Seo In-seok told in house broadcaster KRBC. “But I trusted him and Jo Jae-ro and they did well.”
Vincero Cavallo is a four-year-old colt by Cowboy Cal and out of City Lass (by City Zip). He made a solid start to his career winning four of his first twelve but came to prominence running 6th of fifteen in last September’s International G3 Korea Sprint when still only possessing a class 2 rating. He’s not looked back, winning six of eight subsequent starts.
As for what’s next, trainer Seo was emphatic. “There is one goal – The Korea Sprint.”
The big race against the internationals is at Seoul on Sunday September 7 and Vincero Cavallo is head and shoulders the best local hope. Next week it is the turn of the big local hope for the Korea Cup, Global Hit, to appear. He will make a rare outing at his home track of Busan as the Stayer Series concludes with the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M Kor-G2)
The Sprint Series concludes at Seoul on Sunday with the SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) when Vincero Cavallo will seek to complete a clean sweep of the series, having already taken out the Busan Ilbo Sprint and the SBS Sports Sprint. The big race is race 8 on an 11-race card at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00, which also includes the Listed Sports Chosun Trophy. There are also 6 races at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:
Vincero Cavallo (KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Small but competitive field in the opener. (7) STUNNING WORLD was a solid 3rd last time out over 1200M on April 6th, racing handy. She also has a 2nd place on her record. She comes up to the 1300M for the first time and she can win. (2) TEUKGEUP PARTY also has a runner-up finish to her name, which she achieved on debut at the end of December. She has since run 5th in back-to-back outings and from a good draw here can lead and be in this a long. (6) HWANGGEUM MASK got his best finish of 3rd at this distance and on his latest couple of outings, both ending in 4th, has to rate as a chance. (5) WILD HAPPY and (4) PROOF others who could have a say in the minors.
Selections
(7) Stunning World (2) Teukgeup Party (6) Hwanggeum Mask (5) Wild Happy
Next Best
4, 8
Fast Start
2, 4, 6, 7
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) WILD WHIZ ran once last summer for 3rd place at 1000M. He hasn’t been seen since, but he trialed well in mid-April under Moon Se-young, coming from off the pace and finishing well. If he brings that form to the races, he has every chance first-up. (4) PINE PINK also ran just the once last year, in her case a 4th place in December. She offered fewer clues in her trial at the start of this month but from a good draw, if she brings that form she showed before, she can be in this. (7) TIGER K has mixed his form across four starts so far but does have a 2nd place on his record and that’s enough to have him in this. (6) SOMETHING DARK and (3) AMENO are others to consider.
Selections
(9) Wild Whiz (4) Pine Pink (7) Tiger K (6) Something Dark
Next Best
3, 2
Fast Start
2, 3, 7, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(11) GHOST CHRYSOL was an improved 2nd over this distance on March 30th when racing handy throughout. He carries a similar weight, the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and a similar effort should be sufficient to win this. (3) TTOSUNI SEOUL stepped up to 1700M last time out and came from off the pace to run a decent 3rd. She should have benefitted from that experience and can be a danger here. (10) CHAMPIONS FIELD enters off back-to-back 3rd place finishes over this distance and should be there or thereabouts again. Plenty of others have hinted at ability too with (8) EUNPA SWEET and (7) TEN KOREA perhaps the most likely to challenge for the places.
Selections
(11) Ghost Chrysol (3) Ttosuni Seoul (10) Champions Field (8) Eunpa Sweet
Next Best
7, 2
Fast Start
7, 8, 9, 11
Busan Race 1: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(9) ONEULISUNGAN was a winner at this class and distance two starts back before running 4th in a competitive Trophy race over a mile on April 13th. He carries 3kg more than his winning mark but is one for one at the trip and five from ten in total and he can win again here. Both of (8) SOLEDAD’s wins came at this trip and she enters in consistent form, most recently beating a couple of today’s rivals on her way to 4th place in another April 13th Trophy race, in her case over 1800M. She has the fastest time among these for the distance and is a danger. (2) SPECIAL WIND won over this trip at class 4 level in February and hinted at getting to grips with this class when 5th on April 4th. He draws nicely and under a light weight can be backed on a place line (4) DANGDAE STAR and (6) MORPHEUS others who can compete for the minors.
Selections
(9) Oneulisungan (8) Soledad (2) Special Wind (4) Dangdae Star
Next Best
6, 5
Fast Start
4, 5, 6, 9
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies only. (8) DONKEY PLAY was a winner at this class and distance in a similar all-filly affair on April 19th when settling midfield and running on. That was her maiden win, but the manner of it was strong and while she carries an additional 3kg, there is little to fear here. (10) LALA GIRL remains a maiden but comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1200M and this distance. In doing so, she posted a quicker time than any of these for the 1300M (albeit on a wet track) and she can measure up. Seo Seung-un is in town to ride Black Mamba in the big race later and he picks up the ride on (6) WONDERFUL PASS. Another non-winner, she comes in off a smart 4th at this class over 1200M and can go close. (11) LUCKY DAY and (9) KOTAP others to consider.
Selections
(8) Donkey Play (10) Lala Girl (6) Wonderful Pass (11) Lucky Day
Next Best
9, 1
Fast Start
3, 4, 9, 10
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden and it’s not a strong field so we’ll take a chance on the solitary debut maker. That’s (6) MAGIC SHOW, a Federalist filly who looked good in her trial, showing handy and finishing in 3rd place in a fair time. If she can have some natural improvement from that then she has as good a chance as any. (7) GOLDEN CARD enters off an improved 3rd place over 1400M on April 18th when beating a couple of today’s rivals. In the absence of much early speed, she may well be the early leader and can be in this a long way. (2) SEONGSIL WORLD came from well back to run 4th at start number two on April 4th. Third-up she should still have scope for improvement. (8) WINNERS ROOKIE and (1) HIT WINNER others to consider for the minors.
Selections
(6) Magic Show (7) Golden Card (2) Seongsil World (8) Winners Rookie
Next Best
1, 4
Fast Start
4, 5, 7, 8
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
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