Damian Lane gives Obamburumai thumbs up following Doncaster Mile tune-up at Randwick

Victorian jockey Damian Lane travelled to Sydney for a track gallop aboard Doncaster Mile contender Obamburumai and was pleased with what the Japanese raider showed him.

Japanese raider Obamburumai ensured star jockey Damian Lane left Royal Randwick on Wednesday brimming with confidence ahead of Saturday’s $4m Doncaster Mile (1600m).

Lane travelled to Sydney for a midweek hit-and-run mission to pilot Obamburumai in a crucial track gallop ahead of day one of The Championships this weekend.

It was the first time the 31-time Group 1-winning rider has been able to sit on the Keiji Yoshimura-trained weapon since the Golden Eagle victor arrived back in Australia for the autumn.

Lane is taking over for Sydney-based hoop Josh Parr in the Doncaster after concerns the latter would struggle to make the 55kg impost allocated to Obamburumai in the time-honoured handicap.

Last year’s Golden Eagle winner, the Japanese raider Obamburumai, has a crucial Randwick hit out ahead of Saturday’s Doncaster Mile. Video: @MitchRWCohenpic.twitter.com/geW2wzKa84

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) April 2, 2024

Obamburumai has done the bulk of his preparation at Canterbury Park Quarantine Centre but had a light hitout around the Randwick course proper just four days out from the Doncaster.

“It was great to get a feel of him,” Lane said.

“I didn’t let him go full speed but watching his races, he does (have a great turn of speed).

“The trainer is happy with him, his fitness is up.

“We didn’t need to test him this morning. I have seen enough to be confident.”

Lane has become a reliable rider for Japanese stables when they send international horses to Australia after spending multiple stints working in the racing mad jurisdiction.

Obamburumai is one of the leading contenders in the Doncaster Mile. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The Victorian-based hoop, who won the 2019 Cox Plate on Japan’s Lys Gracieux, believes Obamburumai will reap the benefits of his previous visit to Australia.

Obamburumai was a terrific winner of the $10m Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens at his last start in October before heading back to Japan.

“They (Japanese horses) can sustain high speeds for a long period of time which he has shown in the Golden Eagle during the spring,” Lane said.

“He has been out here before and has travelled well and this is his second time in Australia. That gives me confidence he is going to handle the occasion.

“He gives me a great feel but I obviously haven’t fully tested him so until I do that race day I won’t be sure where he lines up (against other Japanese horses I’ve ridden).”

Damian Lane will pilot Obamburumai this Saturday. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Like many horses on Saturday, the big question for Obamburumai will be how he handles potential heavy conditions.

More than 100mm of rain could fall in Sydney between Thursday and the Doncaster Mile.

Obamburumai has never raced on a heavy track but has experienced soft conditions.

“He ran third in a NHK Mile before he came out last year on a really soft track so he has been on it before and seemed to handle it OK,” Lane said.

“It’s not common in Japan to get a heavy track like we get here in the carnival although the day he ran third was softer than usual in Japan.

“Without knowing how much rain we are going to get in Sydney, it should be pretty close to that.”

Obamburumai is a $9.50 chance in the Doncaster Mile.

Originally published as Damian Lane gives Obamburumai thumbs up following Doncaster Mile tune-up at Randwick