Dickson delighted with Nod & Smile

Thursday, 27 April 2023 | Summer Dickson just missed out when her NZ-bred filly Sassy Skye was a beaten favourite at Pinjarra on Wednesday but she was beaming when stablemate Nod And Smile streeted his rivals in the next race.

Nod And Smile (3g My Admiration - Sakamoto by Rip Van Winkle) dictated in front for Brad Parnham and went further ahead in the straight to win the Electrical Consultancy Maiden (1600m) by more than 8 lengths! 

Nicknamed ‘Spud’ at Dickson’s Port Kennedy stables, he was backed from $2.20 into a $1.80 favourite after flying home from last for a place over 1300m a fortnight ago.

“What a versatile big boy and he’s only going to get better and better,” Dickson said.  “And a big thank-you to Raquel Reid who has been so supportive after selling him to Jim (Richards) and I earlier this year.”

Nod And Smile was initially sold by Geisel Park for a bargain $8,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions and had shown promise racing out of Reid’s Eeyore Lodge in Hopeland.  He was the second maiden winner by Westbury Park sire My Admiration at Pinjarra following the Brett Pope-trained Falcon Trader. 

He’s the first foal of NZ-bred mare Sakamoto (Rip Van Winkle) who is a half-sister to Thunder Lady (G2 VRC Wakeful Stakes) and the dam of Princess Kereru (G3 NZ Darley Plate).  The page is propped up by seven black-type winners below her second-dam Fleur De Chine (G2 Taranaki Classic).

Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg retained her unraced 2yo filly Glotz (Vert De Grece) and welcomed a Snippetson filly at Myalup earlier this season before putting Sakamoto to resident sire Manhattan Rain in October.