It’s not yet branded a ‘sire-making race,’ but its Hawaii Five Oh or the Japanese ‘miler’ Obamburumai who are about to change history in the $10m James Squire Golden Eagle.
With both Hawaii Five Oh and Obamburumai being 4yo horses, it was the 5yo gelding and Epsom winner Kolding who first won in 2091, followed by Australian Oaks winner Colette in 2020.
In this the firth running staged over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens for 4YO+ at Set Weights, it was triple Group 1 winning gelding’s I’m Thunderstruck successful in 2021 and last year I Wish I Win.
Priced as the $4.20 Ladbrokes race favourite, it’s also the 4yo mare Amelias Jewel who’s $4.60 with Damien Lane jumping from 5, while Tommy Berry is on 4yo gelding Kovalica at $10 in 16 with most betting sites.
A previous good sixth in The $20m Everest, and a ‘nose’ second to Everest winner Think it Over in the Premier Stakes, Hawaii Five Oh won the Hawkesbury Guineas and Fred Best Stakes of 1400m.
In also running third in the Stradbroke Handicap as a 3yo, he’ll be ride of Nash Rawiller starting from Gate 4, carrying 57.5kg for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and is a full-brother to Libertini.
Raced by Gerry Harvey, John Singelton and Ray Hadley, and bred by Gerry Harvey, he’s by I Am Invincible from the Coolmore Classic winning Encosta ‘Lago mare Aloha, family of Seabrook.
As the first Japanese horse to race at the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, it’s the Keij Yoshimura trained Obamburumai who’s $10 with Josh Parr replacing Yutaka Take, jumping from 2, with 56.5kg.
In coming off a 1½ length third in the NHK Mile, and earlier winning the Arlington Cup of 1600m as a northern hemisphere 3yo, he won twice as a 2yo including the KH Nisai Stakes of 1400m.
Racing in the red and white of owner Koji Oka and bred by Sunday Hills, he’s by the Cigar Mile winner Discreet Cat from the placed Deep Impact mare Pink Gerbera, the family of Unbridled’s Song.
With six internationals, it’s NZ’s Ken and Bev Kelso with the Australian Guineas winner Lagarto at $8.50 for Michael Dee, while Britain’s Charlie Hill has the Goffs Millions winner Galeron is at $201.
Chris Waller prepares the Royal Ascot Jersey Stakes winner Age of Kings at $46, while Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have New Endeavour at $81 and Singapore Classic winner Coin Toss at $101.
Already making is mark as a stallion-making race, the Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes was won on Saturday by the Godolphin owned and bred Tom Kitten, ridden by Adam Hyeronimus.
On winning by 3¾ lengths for trainer James Cummings as the $2.50 favourite, Tom Kitten was coming off a second in the Gloaming Stakes, having won the Up and Coming Stakes 1300m in August.
Successful at two in winning the Fernhill Handicap 1600m and fourth in the Champagne Stakes, he’s the first Group 1 winner of the outstanding young international sprinting sire Harry Angel.
With Harry Angel shuttling to Darley Kelvinside, Tom Kitten is half-brother to Canberra Guineas winner Promotions, from the winning Street Cry mare Movin’ Out, the family of Redoute’s Choice.
The Chris Waller trained Snitzel colt Cap Ferrat finished second ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, in being a $1.4m 2022 Australian Yearling Sale buy for Tom Magnier, from the family of Makybe Diva.
Third placed was the Maurice colt Ganbare for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, having earlier won the Dulcify Stakes and was a $260,000 2022 Australian Easter Yearling, the family of Cariere.
In being first run in 1971, and invariably won by a good horse in sometimes a select field, one can say that this year’s $2m Spring Champion Stakes was ‘Run in the Spirit of The Derby.’
