Tan part of Oliver’s dream hurrah

[Wandering Eyes]

Former Trackside presenter Jason Tan was delighted and humbled to be part of a fitting finale to the decorated career of Damien Oliver.

He was at Ascot in Perth on Saturday to cheer Oliver to victory in the last three races on the card, and most especially Munhamek’s fairytale success in the Gr.3 Gold Rush (1400m) named in honour of the champion jockey.

Tan shares in the ownership of the Nick Ryan-trained Munhamek with Clint Hutchison and the racing.com identity’s sister Alix, whose husband Caspar (Fownes) formerly trained the eight-year-old in Hong Kong.

It was something of a surreal experience for Tan on Saturday with such a dream closure to Oliver’s time in the saddle, and a wonderful ride befitting of the occasion.

“When you draw that wide at 17, you’re in the lap of the gods, or Damien as it was,” Tan said.

“I was standing next to Clint and not far from Nick, watching the race at ground level. At the 500m, he was travelling beautifully and at the 75m I saw him get clear and at that point I lost it, something in me said we’ve won the race.

“I didn’t see the finish live because I ran to Nick and just about tackled him over the fence and by that time he’d crossed the line and won and the crowd was going off.

“It was a moment in time and then you realise it was something out of this world the more you reflect on it. At the time, it was very much a blur.”

Munhamek’s victory brought a celebrated end to a hectic and fun fortnight for his owners.

“It was magical and it’s been a big couple of weeks. I arrived back in Hamilton about 3am on Monday morning,” Tan said.

“We went up to Hong Kong for the international week and covered that off with Clint, who is a good friend and business partner and we do a Hong Kong show called Triple Trio with Jason Richardson, Shane Dye and Clint.

“I run and produce that as well as the Hong Kong website called Hutchi’s Honkers.

“It was always the plan to get Munhamek to that race on Saturday and it was unbelievable really, it’s hard to describe it.”

Adding to the significance were Hutchison’s ties to Perth and long-standing association with Oliver.

“Clint is from a training and horse family there and he legged up Damien Oliver when he was 17 on one of his father’s horses, so that’s how long they go back. It’s a very special connection,” Tan said.

Munhamek was a two-time winner in his native England before relocating to Hong Kong where he was successful for Hall and added his last two victories were from Fownes’ stable.

“He raced as Hall Of Champ up there and they retired him, he didn’t have a major issue it was more they felt he was on his mark,” Tan said.

“I was very fortunate when Clint said I’ve got this horse from Hong Kong and said I’ll put you in for a percentage and I said that’s fine by me, let’s go.”

Munhamek made an instant impact when he won his Australian debut at Caulfield last year and enjoyed further success at Flemington, Moonee Valley and Eagle Farm and multiple black type placings ahead of his Ascot heroics.

“You couldn’t speak highly enough of Nick and what he’s done with the horse,” Tan said.

“Aaron Mitchell is a former jockey who works for Nick and he has family in Perth, his grandfather Wally is a trainer, and he took the horse over there and was there just under four weeks before the race was run.

“He was so well looked after and Aoife Brennan, Lauren (Cambridge trainer) and Mickey’s daughter, led the horse back with Clint on the right and then Damien did the Frankie Dettori star jump to celebrate so it was all very cool.”

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