Jimmy The Bear narrowly failed his first test at 2400 metres, but it took a close relation to one of the greatest stayers Australia has seen to deny the crowd favourite.
The John Moloney-trained Dictionary, a nephew to Makybe Diva, outlasted Patrick and Michelle Payne’s winter warhorse to score a maiden Saturday city success in the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Stayers at Caulfield on Saturday.
Dictionary is out of Collins, a daughter of Desert King and Tugela, which makes her a sister to Makybe Diva, and the five-year-old boasts a connection to another legendary mare being by Black Caviar’s half-brother All Too Hard.
“He’s got that Makybe Diva connection and he’s also got Black Caviar on the other side, through All Too Hard, so he’s got a double whammy of the best mares around,” an elated Moloney said.
Dictionary ($14) benefitted from a patient ride by Daniel Stackhouse to finish stoutly along the inside fence and wear down Jimmy The Bear, who started $1.40, and score a half-head win. Third, 2-3/4 further back, was Midnight Glow ($12).
The victory was redemption of sorts for Dictionary who finished third in last year’s VOBIS Gold Stayers, won by Ferago.
The gelding has been a late-maturer, with the VOBIS Gold Stayers his 37th start, and Moloney said he did not much hope of beating Jimmy The Bear but his staying prowess came to the fore.
“Each time I’ve run him at a trip he’s been able to step up and do something, so he’s been good like that,” Moloney said.
“We were just hopeful but it’s just such good prizemoney, you’re running for great bucks, so you take a chance.
“Realistically, I didn’t think I could beat him (Jimmy The Bear), but he just got a beautiful run, he got the right sit and he was able to take him out at the finish.”
The victory was the sixth for Dictionary, a $110,000 Magic Millions yearling, and the winner’s purse plus bouses took his career earnings to $312,530.
