Vincero Cavallo cemented his status as the nation’s top sprinter as he pulled away from the field late to win the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, adding to his win in the Busan Ilbo Sprint, the opening leg of the Sprint Series a month ago.

Sent off as one of three almost co-favourites, Jo Jae-ro settled Vincero Cavallo into his preferred midfield position as the one of the other two at the top of the market, Choegoui Kkum vied for the lead with expected front-runner Super Finish.

As the field fanned across the track entering the home straight, Vincero Cavallo quickly cut the gap to the leaders and then pulled away in the closing stages, crossing the line two-lengths to the good. Tony Castanheira’s 60/1 chance Black Musk was a fast-finishing 2^nd under Kozzi Asano, while Black Mamba and Alan Munro came home 3^rd.

“He actually started a little too well” winning jockey Jo Jae-ro told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “But then the others went through, and we were able to settle. On the 4^th corner I was confident he would win although I was surprised how easily he did it.”

“Everything went to plan” trainer Seo In-seok confirmed to KRBC. “Yesterday’s rain was a bit of a concern as you never know what effect it will have but it was fine. The intention was to settle back like last time and after the start, Jo Jae-ro made a good decision to be patient and I think that won us the race.”

Black Musk was a winner at Group level over 1200M all the way back in May of 2022 and while he did win a class 1 handicap over the same distance last October, it was still a remarkable return to form on the big stage especially having taken a big bump from either side coming out of the gate. Disappointment of the race was Choegoui Kkum who, after a bright start finished back in 11^th. No lameness was found although jockey Masa Tanaka commented that “his stride felt heavier than last time.”

Vincero Cavallo [Cowboy Cal – City Lass (by City Zip)] is a four-year-old colt who was a revelation when an excellent 6^th of fifteen behind Remake in the Korea Sprint last September. Since then, he has run seven times for five wins and while that has been a hectic schedule – Jockey Jo mentioned the horse was “mentally and physically tired after Busan”, he keeps on lifting.

Now Korea’s leading contender for this year’s Korea Sprint, Vincero Cavallo may need to lift again much sooner if he is to sweep all three legs of the Sprint Series, which concludes with the SROA Chairman’s Trophy (1200M KOR-G2) on Sunday May 18^th. An international blue book race, there are strong rumours of Japanese interest.

There is confirmed Japanese interest in next Sunday’s YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3), the second leg of the Stayer Series. Also an international blue book race, Yumeno Honoo has travelled over from Kochi to become the first overseas trained runner in a Korean non-invitational race since Esmeraldina won the Ttukseom Cup in 2015. Global Hit and Success Baekpa await him in the most eagerly anticipated showdown of the season so far.