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 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 24^th. 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 2^nd 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/1^st/2^nd/3^rd): 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 24^th, Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M) 8^th: 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 27^th, Class 1 (2000M) 1^st: 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 2^nd 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 27^th, 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 2^nd 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 27^th, Class 1 (1200M) 2^nd: 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 3^rd 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 7^th 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 27^th, Class 1 (1400M) 1^st: https://youtu.be/J0XdL1VuJtA

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