It was the third Darwin Cup for Victorian trainer Dyer for whom Booth was riding when he collapsed and died of a heart attack after a race at the Fannie Bay track in early July.
“Roger was a great mate of mine,” Todd told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“He was on my back for that one.”
The Kyneton-based Dyer takes a team to the Northern Territory each year with Royal Request on his fourth visit on Monday.
The seven-year-old won the 2014 NT Derby before running unplaced in the Cup (2000m) then returned to run second in 2015 and fourth last year.
“It’s been a rough old time and Jarrod and I were both thinking of him (Roger) today,” Dyer said.
“I thought he (Royal Request) was the best horse in the race but I was worried about the weight.”
Royal Request ($8) overhauled Saturday Sorcerer ($21) in the straight and drew away to win by three lengths despite carrying top weight of 61.5kg which included a 1.5kg penalty for his 1600m-win on July 29.
Visiting Sydney jockey Blake Shinn three winners on the day, two for Dyer and one for Richard Laming.
Credit: AAP