Oliver and Personal combine for Kennedy Oaks win

Champion jockey Damien Oliver recorded a remarkable sixth victory in the Kennedy Oaks when blueblood filly Personal won the $1 million staying classic for three-year-old fillies.

Personal was a brilliant winner for Flemington trainers Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, giving the pair their first Group 1 win and another for the Lindsay Park training dynasty.

Salto Angel was runner up with hot favorite Montefilia in third.

Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Neil Wilson said it was a thrilling finish to the time-honoured race.

“Personal showed just how talented she is, having won her first race at Flemington in January over 1100m and winning the Kennedy Oaks today over 2500m against some of the nation’s best fillies,” Mr Wilson said.

“It was a day Tom Dabernig, Ben Hayes and their entire stable will never forget, with jockey Damien Oliver also adding to his Group 1 record which now stands at 122.”

Earlier in the day trainer Julius Sandhu won the biggest race of his career, the $500,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final with his horse Do You Reckon. Sandhu trains a small team from Cranbourne and Do You Reckon was his first ever runner during Cup Week.

The VRC and Network 10 acknowledged racing legends Graham Salisbury and 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero before the running of the all-greys race, the Off the Track Subzero Handcap. Four grey gallopers crossing the line together was some spectacle, with Berdibek taking home the race named in honour of Subzero.

Following Kennedy Oaks Day, Kerrin McEvoy leads the Ron Hutchison Award for jockeys during Melbourne Cup Carnival with 20 points, while Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig lead the JB Cummings Award for trainers on 18 points.

The Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn National Final culminated with the Northern Territory reigning supreme, taking out both the Men’s and Women’s National Final.

It is the first year the VRC and Myer have opened up the national competition to residents of the Northern Territory, resulting in a Top End clean sweep.

Christine Spielmann won the women’s competition wearing a self-designed and self-made purple pant suit and belt with a wide-brimmed hat from Peacock Millinery.

Sherlon Garbo took out the first ever men’s national competition wearing a three-piece suit with striking colorful accessories from Zara.

Both Christine and Sherlon will receive more than $80,000 in prizes each including a brand new Lexus UX250h 2WD Sports Luxury valued at $70,070, a money can’t buy 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival experience, a Myer gift card, TCL Entertainment package and Antler Luggage voucher.

Pretty pinks and soft pastels were popular, with Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Nadia Bartel dressed in white Misha Collection and pale pink bow by milliner Nerida Winter to announce the Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn National Final Women’s winner live on Network 10.

VRC Ambassador Crystal Kimber collaborated with designers Elliatt and Ford Millinery to create a pink bespoke Kennedy Oaks Day look while Myer Fashions on Your Front Lawn Ambassador Olivia Molly Rogers donned a lilac dress also from Elliatt with Lady of Leisure headwear.

The G.H.Mumm Champagne was flowing off course with VRC Ambassador Elliot Garnaut toasting to Ladies Day with his mum Kath Garnaut.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival concludes on Saturday with Seppelt Wines Stakes Day, the Carnival’s traditional family day featuring two Group 1s – the Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes and the Darley Sprint Classic, as well as the announcement of winners in the Myer Fashions on Your Front Lawn Just for Fun categories.