Faint Perfume can give Shamardal a deserved Group 1 success in the Victorian Oaks at Flemington this afternoon.  The Darley sire was denied a G1 in the Victoria Derby when his colt Shamoline Warrior was scratched on Saturday morning.

Faint Perfume (3f Shamardal-Zona by Zabeel) is prepared by master trainer Bart Cummings and she was promoted to Oaks favouritism after demolishing her rivals in last Saturday’s G2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m).

Cummings collected his 13th Wakeful Stakes trophy on Saturday and it was his first since Magical Miss scored back in 2001.  “Faint Perfume comes from a good staying family and I give her a really good chance in the Oaks,” Cummings said.

Faint Perfume is the first foal for Zona, an unraced sister to G3 BTC Chairman’s Handicap winner Zingham and a half sister to G1 STC Arrowfield Stakes runner up Banc de Fortune (Galileo).

Second dam Danendri (Danehill) was crowned Australia’s Champion 3yo filly in 1996-97 after winning the G1 AJC Oaks and G1 STC Arrowfield Stakes.