Following on from the success of Hana's Goal (All Aged Stakes) and Admire Rakti (Caulfield Cup) last year, the Japanese preserved their perfect record in securing a major on trips Down Under after Real Impact dug deep to win the $1 million group 1 George Ryder Stakes.

And scarily enough he had been plagued by a small crack in the near hoof in the lead-up and was said to only be "80 per cent fit" for the weight-for-age warm-up on the Doncaster Mile trail.

"You can't say they're better horses because ours are still really competitive, and I wouldn't like the race over again," a relieved McDonald said after earlier booting Contributer to success in the Ranvet Stakes for Godolphin.

"He'll be really hard to beat in the Doncaster. He's tough and that Randwick mile is going to suit him."

How tough is probably a question best asked of Craig Williams, whisked onto Hong Kong Cup placegetter Criterion for the George Ryder Stakes in lieu of the suspended Michael Walker.

The pair surged clear of the pack to fight out the race as Real Impact lasted to win by a short-half head from the multiple group 1 winner.

"He [Criterion] fought really hard, but my horse, he found another gear once that horse got to him," McDonald said. "I don't think he's going to win a big race by a big margin. I'm just glad my head was down when the winning post came up.

"He's an awesome horse."

Trainer Noriyuki Hori only brought Real Impact out to Australia, with the other three visitors under the care of Japan's triple crown-winning trainer Yasutoshi Ikee.

But what he lacked in numbers, Real Impact certainly made up for in quality, being the only group 1 winner in his native country to make the trip to Canterbury.

And he made it a second internationally dominated George Ryder after Irish star Gordon Lord Byron won for Tom Hogan last year.

"Everything from the initial flight straight through we've been very happy," Hori said. "We'll see how he pulls up and speak with the owners, but at this stage we are looking forward to his next start."

The hard luck story belonged to Chris Waller's Kermadec - for the second time in as many starts. After being hopelessly blocked for a run at a crucial stage in the Australian Guineas, Kermadec stumbled out of the barriers in the George Ryder before flashing home for third under Ryan Moore.

Meanwhile, the owners of Waller's Permit will have a rethink about retirement plans for the stayer after his form-reversing win in the group 3 Manion Cup.

Permit won the same race three years ago and handed Tommy Berry his second straight win in the staying event after outduelling grey Phrases over the latter stages.

"He's been a great horse to us," Waller said. "I just said to Tommy to be right up there because if you don't put him in the race he turns off. It would be a great way to go out for what has been a very special horse.

"The owners are very, very good. Michael Burn is the chairman of VRC and Crown's Rowen Craigie is in the horse."