3 minute read

After having his first sit on Obamburumai, Josh Parr believes the international can win the Golden Eagle.

Japanese trainer Keiji Yoshimura is warming to the chances of Obamburumai in the $10 million Golden Eagle after watching him work at Rosehill with new jockey Josh Parr in the saddle. 

The lightly raced colt is staying at the Canterbury International Horse Centre but made the trip across town on Wednesday morning for a course proper gallop over 1000m. 

Speaking through an interpreter, Yoshimura said he was content with what he saw. 

"It was a brilliant piece of work today. He was striding very well but at the same time the jockey had a very good handle on the horse," Yoshimura said. 

"I really do feel confident after watching him gallop today. 

"He's a small horse but he's got a pretty big stride. From my view, he seemed to be galloping very happily." 

Japanese superstar Yutaka Take was to have made the trip to Sydney for the Golden Eagle ride but was ruled out due to an injury sustained when he was kicked by a horse at Tokyo racecourse on Sunday. 

Local hoop Parr picked up the mount and was glowing in his assessment of Obamburumai after putting him through his paces, particularly his professional attitude and focus. 

"His action is so fluid and (he has got) quite a long stride. For a horse that's not overly big in stature, he makes up for that in his galloping action," Parr said. 

"He's a classic athlete. The combination of strength, stamina and speed all in the one package so I'm quite taken by what I felt this morning. 

"His work was very impressive." 

While Japanese horses the ilk of 2019 Cox Plate hero Lys Gracieux and 2006 Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues have won feature spring races in Victoria, Obamburumai will be the first to compete at Sydney's Everest carnival. 

Parr says Japan's record of success on the international stage is hard to ignore. 

"We have all witnessed the Japanese thoroughbred that has come here and been so successful," he said. 

"It is a type of horse I've been looking forward to getting aboard. 

"I've been fortunate enough to get this opportunity and I look to make the most of it." 

Obamburumai has showed versatility in his five starts, which have yielded three wins and a Group 1 placing over 1600m at Tokyo in May. 

Yoshimura expects barrier two to prove a good draw for the horse, who he says has natural speed. 

"The only race that he really missed the kick (in) was the third race of his career. That was coming back from a spell and he was a bit agitated and quirky in the gates and not standing still," Yoshimura said. 

"He is normally very quick out of the gates, he does have speed, so I think barrier number two is going to be good for us. 

"He is three from five in his career, two graded race wins and also a third in a Group One, so I do have faith, and the conditions really fit for him this time." 

The final word goes to Parr, who after nominating Tulloch Lodge galloper Hawaii Five Oh as the toughest of the locals to beat, was asked if he thought Obamburumai could win. 

His response was succinct: "I do".