Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal watched the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) slip away at the final fence last Saturday with Dictation, but the promising hurdler was back a week later and got his redemption in the Michael ‘Mickey’ Beecroft Memorial 0-1 Win Hurdles (3100m).
Having just his third hurdle start in the opening feature of National Week on the first day of the three-day Carnival last Saturday, Dictation was the third-favoured of five rivals attempting to dethrone topliner Berry The Cash. The son of Tavistock almost pulled off the upset with a decent margin on the favourite coming into the last hurdle where he blundered badly, dislodging rider Hamish McNeill.
Reverting back to 0-1 grade on Saturday, Dictation became the runner to beat closing at $2.35, with Semper Magico identified as his key rival at $3.
Semper Magico was straight into his work and took up the pace-making role from the outset under Portia Matthews, while McNeill remained in close quarters guiding Dictation forward to sit outside the leader.
The pair led the pack into the home straight with Dictation travelling strongly in front of an improving Mr Fabulous and Murphy, and while he didn’t negotiate the last with much grace, the seven-year-old stayed on his feet and skipped away to score by five lengths. Murphy showed further improvement from last weekend’s fourth placing when running boldly into second, with Mr Fabulous continuing his consistent form finishing third.
McNeill looked to breathe a sigh of relief crossing the line, indicating the meeting last weekend hadn’t been one to remember.
“That was a bit of vindication from last weekend, it’s great and he’s a lovely animal,” he said.
“I was relieved, Saturday was a day to forget so onwards and upwards today.
“In hindsight, it may end up being the best thing for him because that was only his fourth start today (over jumps), he’s going to be an exciting type for next season.”
Nelson was on course and spoke on behalf of the prominent Hastings training partnership, who were pleased to see the son of Tavistock earn a deserved success during the carnival.
“He looks like being a pretty useful sort of horse I think,” he said.
“We didn’t change a thing, when we get down here it’s not all about how hard you work them, it’s just how you work them.
“It’s quite a change for them, they do a bit more here than they do at home.”
Dictation was bred by the Duchess of Bedford and is owned by the I See Red Syndicate, with his record now including four wins from 24 starts and $88,870 in stakes earnings.
Initially prepared and owned by Glen Harvey, Nelson purchased the seven-year-old for the syndicate via gavelhouse.com in April 2022 for $20,000.