Victory for Japan in the Golden Eagle
Asian challengers once again came and plundered Australian riches when the Keiji Yoshimura-trained Obamburumai (Discreet Cat) lifted late to land yesterday’s $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill for Japan.
Just a week after Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) narrowly prevailed in the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m), Obamburumai was sent off a $7 chance in the 17-runner field under Josh Parr, who stepped in for the injured Yutaka Take.
Waiting for room with plenty of rivals still in front at the 300-metre mark, Parr maintained his faith of getting a run down the rail and, once room emerged with 200 metres left to run, Obamburumai came home with a wet sail between rivals to beat the Godolphin pair, with Pericles (Street Boss) finishing a head away in second, while Golden Mile (Astern) was a further half-length further back in third.
“My voice is breaking up. I’ve been doing some roaring in the last five minutes, I tell you,” an emotional Parr said. “What a moment this is in my career, in my life, everything. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to pick up this horse today.
“The disappointment of Yutaka Take missing out through injury, that doesn’t sit right with me, but the fact that I was Johnny on the spot, I got the ride and I produced one of my better ones to get the victory, I’m speechless.
“He is one hell of an animal, isn’t he? I actually had a phone call with my mum last night and Mum said, ‘What can I expect?” I said ‘I’m pretty sure he’s the best horse I’ve sat upon, but he’s going to need a lot of luck’. He got the luck and he showed his ability.”
Prior to yesterday’s success, Obamburumai had won three of his five starts, including victories in the Keio Hai Nisai Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) and Arlington Cup (Gr 3, 1600m).
“We really focused on getting the horse ready for this race today,” Yoshimura said, speaking through a translator.
“All the people that were before me came and made a successful racing industry in Japan. I have never screamed so loud after a race in my life.
“It was a perfect ride by Josh. He took some time before the race to go over the tactics and he just played it out perfectly.
“Really, this is a result of everyone that was involved, even when we were back in Japan before flying here.
“Everyone at Canterbury, all the staff, the Australian Turf Club, were so kind. The horse got acclimatised to the environment so quickly and I couldn’t thank everybody enough for the victory today.
“To win on such a big stage, the international stage in Australia, it gives me a confidence boost going forward as a trainer.”
Obamburumai is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) mare Pink Gerbera, herself a sister to dual Group 3 winner Blanc Bonheur and dual Listed scorer Entscheiden and a three-quarter sister to dual Group 3 winner Bien Fait (Kizuna).
Meanwhile, Pink Gerbera’s dam, Le Sucre (Sakura Bakushin O) is out of a sister to the late champion stallion and former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Unbridled’s Song (Unbridled).