In the blink of an eye Almond Eye brought a nation's dream a step closer to becoming a reality.
It was difficult for Almond Eye to exceed expectations such was the extraordinary fanfare which accompanied the filly on her first start outside of Japan, but somehow she did, enhancing thathuge reputation with a devastating victory in the US$6 million ($8.8 million) Dubai Turf on Saturday night.
The winning margin of one and a quarter lengths in no way gives an accurate representation of the superiority of Almond Eye, reports Racing Post. She swept to the front in effortless fashion, taking the breath of those in the packed grandstand and prompting her fans back home to start making enquiries about Parisian hotels in October.
All roads lead to Longchamp and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for Almond Eye, where she will be tasked with finally delivering success for Japan in a race in which they have gone close on a number of occasions.
Bookmakers slashed her to 5-1 (from 10-1) for the Arc, for which Enable, chasing a historic third victory in the race, heads the betting at 4-1.
●Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter produced a powerful, sustained thrust to overhaul stablemate Ispolini and win the Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday night, bolstering the impression he is a serious force in the stayers' division.
This was Cross Counter's first start since giving Godolphin a much-coveted Melbourne Cup triumph.
Winning trainer Charlie Appleby said: "It was a tough ask to go to Australia as a three-year-old and win the Melbourne Cup and this was our first opportunity to run him since then.
