The iconic Dato Tan Chin Nam chessboard colours have been sported by some of the greats of the turf and they may be in line for a second $1 million Group 1 Kennedy Oaks (2500m) after So Dazzling broke her maiden in style in the $75,000 Preview.
The yellow, black and white colours were worn by Michael Rodd in 2009 about Faint Perfume, the ninth and final Oaks winner for legendary trainer Bart Cummings. And while Cummings, who slipped away in 2015, and Tan, who died three years later, are no longer in the racebook, their legacy lives on through the Think Big Stud filly.
A daughter of So You Think, arguably the horse best associated with the Tan colours, So Dazzling hails from the family of Flemington feature race winners Twiglet, Easy Rocking and Crevette as well as champion Hong Kong galloper Fairy King Prawn.
It is only fitting that it is John Sargent, himself an Oaks-winning trainer with Kirramosa in 2013, who prepares So Dazzling, while Damien Oliver – who joined Bobbie Lewis as a seven-time Oaks-winning jockey last year - may have found the filly he hopes will give him a record eighth Oaks.
“These colours are famous for staying races and John certainly knows what he’s doing with stayers so she’s got a bit going for her,” Oliver said. "She’s a lovely staying filly. I saw her last run and she didn’t show any speed early but she was great the last 150m last time. It looked like the distance was going to suit her today and it did."
“These colours are famous for staying races and John certainly knows what he’s doing with stayers so she’s got a bit going for her.” - Damien Oliver
Since the Kennedy Oaks Preview was established in 2017, inaugural trial winner Pinot went on to claim the Oaks while 2018 Preview victor Greysful Glamour finished second on the third day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Spring Classics Preview Day, held on a Sunday for the first time in 2022, also saw Unanimous take out the Villa Paradiso Trophy (1630m) for Ciaron Maher, David Eustace and Dream Thoroughbreds.
The Benchmark 78 handicap was won last year by subsequent Group 1 winner Mr Brightside, who is set to feature over the Melbourne Cup Carnival in either the $3 million Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) or the $3 million Group 1 VRC Kennedy Champions Mile (1600m).