The 2007 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes was memorable on a range of levels for Colin Little.
Naturally, El Segundo getting the verdict by a nose over Haradasun at the end of a gripping tussle in the 1600-metre Group 2 event provided great satisfaction.
But also significant was the confidence it gave Little looking ahead to his Spring Racing Carnival major aim, the Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m).
El Segundo went into the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes, which is run at Moonee Valley, slightly underdone, so his ability to get home over one of his major Cox Plate threats was important.
“I was not only glad to win that race, but I came away thinking we do have improvement in him to win the Cox Plate,” Little said last week when reflecting on the victory.
“He was able to beat Haradasun, but I knew he had a length left to improve.
“After that win I felt he was a justified favourite for the Cox Plate, because I’d just held him back enough.”
It also afforded Little the opportunity to experience the joy of gaining the verdict in a photo finish in a Valley feature with El Segundo.
The gelding went under in a deceptive photo finish in the previous year’s Cox Plate, beaten a short-half-head by Fields of Omagh, and while the Dato victory did not quite atone for that anguish Little was thrilled to emerge triumphant at the end of one of the races of the Spring.
El Segundo and Haradasun paired off to fight out the race from before the home turn and while there were stages that the Tony Vasil-trained four-year-old looked like he might have El Segundo’s measure, Little’s star was in front where it mattered.
“It was a great race,” Little said. “They went hammer-and-tong for the length of the straight with nothing between them and, thankfully, El Segundo got there by an inch.
“No one could pick the photo finish, it was a tough race, and neither horse was disgraced.”
Nor were they six weeks later on Cox Plate Day, although Little thankfully didn’t have to sit through a photo that time.
The son of Pins was a decisive two-length winner over Wonderful World with Haradasun a half-length away third.
El Segundo remains the last horse to complete a double, many horses including Cox Plate favourite Atlantic Jewel, will be chasing the first leg of this Saturday at Moonee Valley.
– Racing Victoria
