The Japanese pocket rocket Obamburumai produced a scintillating late turn of foot to bust through off a patient ride by Josh Parr and deny the Godolphin gallopers victory in the $10 million The Golden Eagle 2023 results.

2023 Golden Eagle winner Obamburumai from Japan saluted first-up down under denying the locals victory in the $10 million feature. Photo: Steve Hart.

The fifth running of the country’s second richest race took place at Rosehill Gardens on Derby Day and was taken out in a thrilling upset by the international galloper Obamburumai prepared by Japanese trainer Keiji Yoshimura.

Yoshimura, speaking through a translator, told Sky Thoroughbred Central he had little confidence pre-race and was over the moon with the victory.

“Not really so much confidence, but we really focused on getting the horse ready for this race today,” he said.

“I have never screamed so loud after a race in my life.”

Parr came aboard as the replacement rider on the talented Discreet Cat entire and proved the right man for the job biding his time, avoiding the conflict on the rails and waiting for the gap to open.

“It was the perfect ride by Josh,” the winning trainer added.

“We went through the tactics before with Josh and how to ride the horse. It looked like he might have been a bit far behind but Josh played it perfect. We knew the track was going to be fair and it played out perfectly.”

Once in the clear the eventual Golden Eagle winner was enormous showing off his freakish speed to charge past the James Cummings-trained stablemates Pericles and Golden Mile who had to settle for second and third respectively.

Obamburumai has now won four of his six career starts celebrating his first major win on the back of a good run for third in Tokyo’s Group 1 NHK Mile Cup (1600m) back in May.

He didn’t have fitness on his side but he did have the speed and talent to show the locals how it was done.

Golden Mile led the Golden Eagle field around while the fellow Cummings-trained Pericles was in the box seat third.

Around the corner Golden Mile swung in front while Amelia’s Jewel suffered a bad check at the point of the turn to put an end to her winning hopes.

Pericles gave chase and looked the winner before the Japanese stallion bombed them late in a great finish to conquer the Rosehill feature race and prove his world class status.

“He ran terrific. Had a beaut trip, came off the leader’s back, after straightening and I thought he was home. Just got beaten by a better one on the day,” second placed jockey Ben Melham said of Pericles’ performance.

Obamburumai was excellent late with the race opening up just in time for him to make up the ground.

Edward Cummings’ consistent but underrated Headwater gelding Strait Acer meanwhile ran the race of his life finishing a gallant fourth off his last start $1 million Silver Eagle second.

“My voice is breaking up. I’ve been doing some roaring in the last five minutes, I tell you,” winning jockey, 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.

“Obviously 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.”

2023 Golden Eagle Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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