SROA Chariman's Sprint

Eoma Eoma Poised To Return To Sprint Summit

Eoma Eoma has had a mixed year so far, but the 2022 International Korea Sprint winner looks set to return to the top of the sprinting division on Sunday afternoon when he will start a short-price favourite for the Seoul Racehorse Owners’ Association (SROA) Chairman’s Sprint Trophy (1200M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse.

Eoma Eoma (Pic: KRA)

The SROA is the third leg of the Sprint Series a series where Raon The Fighter is in an insurmountable position having won both the Busan Ilbo Sprint and the SBS Sports Sprint in emphatic style. Raon The Fighter though, had a mild bout of colic in late May that prevented him from returning to work until this Monday and he has instead been pointed back up in trip towards next month’s Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) in the Stayer Series and another crack at Winner’s Man. That leaves the door wide open for Eoma Eoma to return to the top.

There is a big field of sixteen in the SROA, but Eoma Eoma, who after an out of sorts 6th in the Busan Ilbo, got within two-and-a-half lengths of Raon The Fighter in the SBS Sports, will take some beating. The main danger looks to be another (and it is hard to keep track of all of them), Raon First, who having been beaten by stablemate Raon The Spurt in the Ttukseom Cup over 1400M, comes back to renew hostilities with the boys, and is never to be underestimated over any distance.

Ssonsal has had a resurgence this year and lies 2nd overall in the Sprint Series standings having finished 2nd in both legs so far. He will have support on a place line once again. Backing for Beolmaui Star seemingly evaporated once the front-runner drew the widest gate, while the evergreen Morfhis – who did draw well – as well as newcomer to the series, Legend Day, are others in the frame.

“I would prefer it if I had a lower draw but nine is ok, all things considered.” Eoma Eoma’s jockey Yoo Seung-wan told in-house broadcaster KRBC following the barrier draw.

“There are loads of horses in the race with fast starts. There is speed on the outside and those who have drawn well won’t want to give up their places either. In the previous race we ran well following the speed, I don’t think you need to lead.” Yoo continued. As for how the horse is: “His condition is great, I think even better than last time and it’s all systems go.”

Song Jae-hwan, assistant to trainer Park Jong-kon (Raon First) told KRBC that the draw was a good one but Raon First wouldn’t necessarily need to lead; “Against these male horses going to the front won’t be easy. We’ve got a middle gate and I will be happy to see her settle forward to middle. She is going well but Eoma Eoma, Beolmaui Star and Morfhis will be very tough to beat.”

The SROA Chairman’s Trophy is race 8 on the 10-race card at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Selections: (9) Eoma Eoma (7) Raon First (2) Morfhis (16) Beolmaui Star

SROA Chairman’s Sprint: Sprint Series 2nd Leg – Runner-by-Runner Preview

The cream of Korea’s speedsters will meet the starter in the second leg of the 2022 Korea Sprint Series in the SROA (Seoul Racecourse Owners’ Association) Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Raon The Fighter will bid to get back to winning ways on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Raon The Fighter will be looking to return to winning ways after suffering his first career defeat in the first leg of the series, the Busan Ilbo Sprint on April 24th. He will be hot favourite to do so with his conqueror that day, Eoma Eoma, ruled out through a sprained fetlock.

Bursting onto the elite scene with victory over Eoma Eoma in this race last year (when it was held in November due to the pandemic-affected season), Raon The Fighter was sent off a prohibitive favourite in the Busan Ilbo, only to stumble coming out of the gate and then take a heavy bump. Eoma Eoma was able to gain his revenge with Raon The Fighter a gallant 2nd in the circumstances, however, a third match-up will have to wait with Eoma Eoma not having been in work since.

That still leaves a formidable set of rivals. Morfhis won this race two years ago while East Jet is also a Group winner at the 1200M distance. Simjangui Godong won last year’s President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) and comes back to the sprinting ranks after two class 1 wins at 2000M this year. Then there is Hit Yegam, a winner of two legs of last year’s Triple Crown, yet also a formidable sprinter in the past.

Other up and comers include Yeongung Louis, Jangsan Clear and Black Musk and despite Eoma Eoma’s absence, Raon The Fighter is going to need to be on his game to return to the top.

The SROA Chairman’s Sprint is race 8 on an 11-race card at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday. Here is a full run-down of every horse:

SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G3)

1. SINGSING MARY (USA) [With Distinction – Amylimehouse (Limehouse)] 6-M

Owner: Jeon Seok-ho Trainer: Bae Hou-jun Jockey: Park Eul-woon

(Runs/1st/2nd/3rd): 19/2/1/3 – (Career Earnings) KRW 127,140,000

The only filly or mare in the race, she was the longest shot on the board in the Busan Ilbo Cup and probably will be again here. Good draw but she probably doesn’t have the early speed to get on the pace nor the late speed to mount a strong challenge at the business end of the race. Lowest rated by some nineteen points.

Recent Race Video: April 24th, Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M) 8th: https://youtu.be/PiZx3grB3JM

2. SIMJANGUI GODONG (KOR) [Jigeum I Sungan – Howareyou (Whywhywhy)] 6-H

O: Oh Jong-hwan T: Ji Yong-cheol J: Moon Se-young

25/10/2/3 – KRW 1,266,200,200

The 2021 President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) winner drops back to this distance for the first time since November 2020. It is a distance he has won at, claiming the Segye Ilbo Cup in January of 2020, just before racing closed down for the pandemic, but is nevertheless a surprising entrant. In his last two starts at 2000M, both of which have been class 1 wins, he has sat on the pace, and he is drawn very nicely to do similar here. Can go close and is a candidate for second-favourite status.

March 27th, Class 1 (2000M) 1st: https://youtu.be/sh2es_Jl4rQ

3: HIT YEGAM (KOR) [Take Charge Indy – Desert Heat (Mr. Prospector)] 4-C

O: Kim Joon-hyun T: Bang Dong-suk J: You Hyun-myung

13/9/3/0 – KRW 872,700,000

Wins in the KRA Cup Mile and Minister’s Cup along with a narrow 2nd place in the Derby made Hit Yegam (no longer “Heat”) last year’s Champion Three-year-old having been Champion Juvenile the year before, when he won the Breeders’ Cup at this distance. He suffered a surprise defeat to Daemangui Gil on his only start so far this season which was at this distance at class 1 level in Busan on February 27th, but it was probably only intended as a pipe-opener for a horse who has been very sensibly campaigned. He led that day, as he has done in all his starts so far. He has never finished worse than 2nd and while this is his toughest ask, he gets a very good draw to be on pace again and he should be in this a long way. 

February 27th, Class 1 (1200M) 2nd: https://youtu.be/diDpI5v6D9M

4: YEONGUNG LOUIS (USA) [Violence – Don’t Stop To Shop (Unbridled’s Song)] 4-C

O: Ko Hee-chong T: Kwon Sung-ju J: Franco Da Silva

12/6/3/1 – KRW 273,740,000

Burst onto the scene on his only previous visit to Seoul when 3rd behind Eoma Eoma and East Jet on the SBS Sports Sprint in October. It’s fair to say he has mixed his form since then with an excellent win over 1400M at class 1 level in Busan followed by a slightly disappointing 7th of ten in the Busan Ilbo when he bumped with Raon The Fighter at the start and wasn’t much of a factor. Being back at Seoul may galvanize him and the draw is kind. Place line.

March 27th, Class 1 (1400M) 1st: https://youtu.be/J0XdL1VuJtA

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