Sporting the colours of China Horse Club and set to retire to stud later this year, top class Sebring stallion Dissident claimed his fourth Group I victory when powering clear for a stylish win in the Group I MRC CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
A two time Group I winner last spring, the Peter Moody trained Dissident went to the paddock following a bleeding attack in the Group I MRC Caulfield Stakes in which he was favourite.
He resumed with a third in the Group II MVRC Jeep Australia Stakes over 1200 metres last month, but was right back to his very best at Caulfield (Saturday).
Dissident travelled just behind the leaders for Ben Melham and surged away at the finish to win by a length and a half, his overall record now six wins and seven placings from 19 starts with prizemoney of $1.7 million.
“I’m very proud of the horse, he’s done a tremendous job,” Peter Moody said.
“He’s probably one of the best, if not the best, milers in the country.”
A stakes-winner at two, a classic winner at three and weight-for age winner at four, Dissident is the consummate professional and Moody is mindful of preserving his impressive record to date, but hopeful there are more big wins in store.
“He’s going to make a wonderful stallion. He’s made his value and I’ve got to respect the people who have invested a lot of money in him,” the trainer said.
“It’s not a matter of protecting him, it’s a matter of not running him in races he’s not suited. As long as the tracks stay dry you will see him.
“He’s not at his best on soft ground so when the rain was falling (Saturday) morning it was a bit of a concern and we had some nervous moments but congratulations to Jason Kerr and his staff, they presented a perfect track.”
Moody said the Futurity Stakes over 1400m back at Caulfield in two weeks’ time will give Dissident the opportunity to register his fifth win at the highest level.
“After that there are races like the George Ryder and the Doncaster in Sydney provide the right conditions present,” Moody said.
Dissident was a $210,000 Magic Millions purchase for his trainer from the Widden Stud draft and ran for a big syndicate of owners until a stud deal was secured for him last year with China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and others all now involved going forward.
Bred by Widden Stud and partners, Dissident is the second foal and first stakes-winner for stakes-placed Anabaa (USA) mare Diana’s Secret, who comes from the family of Palace Gossip, Mountebank and Vietnam.
Diana’s Secret has a colt foal by Sebring and was covered by him again last spring.
Golden Slipper winner Sebring has gone from strength to strength as a sire and covered 192 mares last year at Widden Stud the increased fee of $60,500 including champion sprinter Black Caviar.
– Widden Stud
