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Japanese star Obamburumai produced an explosive finale to give the $10 million Golden Eagle its first International winner in spectacular fashion at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Japanese are known for being a class above in racing and Obamburumai’s victory could result in more raiders targeting the Sydney spring.
Still a three-year-old, Obamburumai was given a perfect ride from Josh Parr, who replaced the injured Yutaka Take during the week. He stuck to the rail, on a day when that was a huge advantage, before driving through on the inside of Pericles to nab him in the final couple of strides.
“The Japanese team have made me very comfortable since I picked up the ride [on Tuesday] and I’m super proud and pleased to be able to pull out a decent ride for them and get the job done,” Parr said.
“He wasn’t the big horse I expected [on Wednesday] but the feel he gave me had me very confident.
“I actually had a phone call from my mum last night and she 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.”
Josh Parr celebrates after riding Obamburumai to victory in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill on Saturday.Credit: Getty
Obamburumai had been buried back in the fence midfield as the Godolphin’s Golden Mile found the front and controlled the tempo to the turn. When Zac Lloyd accelerated on Golden Mile in front, he let Pericles off his back and the stablemate looked the winner into the 100m.
But Pericles started to drift out under pressure, allowing Obamburumai to come through with a stunning burst.
“I was adamant to hold the back of Hawaii Five Oh, which I thought would have to be one off [the rail], but he got pushed to the fence and I got pushed to the fence as well,” Parr said.
“So I ended up following the one I wanted but on the fence.
“To the horse’s credit, he adapted to that situation. I knew from the 500m mark all I needed was clear air.
“When I got it, even though there was a decent gap to the leaders, I knew I was going to win. It was a pretty nice last 200m because he really let down.”
Obamburumai, which was backed from $12 to start $7, charged through to win by a long neck from Pericles ($12), with Golden Mile ($41) hanging on for third another half-length away.
Obamburumai’s trainer Keiji Yoshimura was left screaming his charge home.
“It was the perfect ride from Josh,” he said. “I wasn’t so much confident, but knew the horse was ready to run his best.
“To be able to win on such a big stage, the international stage in Australia, it gives me a confidence boost going forward as a trainer.”
Behind there were hard-luck stories with favourite Amelia’s Jewel suffering bad interference in the straight and ran 11th.
Ben Melham thought he was the winner on Pericles when he charged past Golden Mile.
“He really went quick when I came off the leader’s back,” Melham said. “I thought he was home. Just got beaten by a better one on the day.”
Lloyd said Golden Mile couldn’t have done any more.
“He gave me a great thrill. That was a peak performance by the horse,” Lloyd said.
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