Eoma Eoma has had 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.
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
