Jimmy The Bear fell just short in his first attempt over 2400m, edged out by Dictionary — a stayer with elite bloodlines and a late-blooming career.
Trained by John Moloney, Dictionary claimed his first Saturday metropolitan win in the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Stayers at Caulfield.
The five-year-old is bred for greatness, being out of Collins — a full sister to Makybe Diva — and sired by All Too Hard, Black Caviar’s half-brother.
“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,” Moloney said.
Dictionary ($14), ridden patiently by Daniel Stackhouse, surged along the rail to nose out heavily-backed $1.40 favourite Jimmy The Bear.
Midnight Glow ($12) finished third, nearly three lengths away.
It was a breakthrough win at his 37th start, having run third in last year’s edition.
“Realistically, I didn’t think I could beat him (Jimmy The Bear), but he just got a beautiful run,” Moloney said.
The victory pushed Dictionary’s earnings past $312,000.