On Friday night, trainer Matt Hoysted is hopeful Appin Girl can transform a disappointing previous start into a victory that will have a significant impact on relationships. While Howard Blight, the owner of Appin Girl, passed away on Wednesday morning, his family and friends found solace in the fact that his three-year-old Headhunter, who was also owned by Blight, saluted at Doomben a few hours later. As the mare lines up in the Listed Goldmarket Handicap (1600m) at Gold Coast, Hoysted remarked, “It would be special for the family if Appin Girl could do the same.” Originally scheduled to compete in the lucrative Magic Millions race for fillies and mares last Friday, Appin Girl’s unsuccessful debut at Eagle Farm in the Listed Nudgee Stakes (1200m) saw her miss the wildcard she needed to quality for the $1 million event finishing last in a field of 15.
“She had absolutely no luck,” he remarked. “We had to win that race to try to get her in, but it didn’t work out.”She was essentially untested when she got to the line, so naturally, she has performed admirably and is in good physical condition. “We needed to make sure she was happy and functioning well, which she certainly appears to be.” In order to give his four-year-old the luck she needs to win the $160,000 race, Hoysted is hoping that the fair pattern that appeared at Gold Coast seven days ago will remain.
Golden Boom, who was trained by Tony Gollan, is the bookmaker’s favorite for the Goldmaket at $4 and Appin Girl at $4.60. Hoysted claims that this will be Appin Girl’s last preparation run after missing the Magic Millions money opportunity. She will then have a breather before focusing on the Brisbane features during the Queensland Winter Carnival. In two weeks, 2023 Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Uncommon James, who is also from his stable, is anticipated to make his debut in the trials in Brisbane in preparation for group racing in Melbourne and Sydney.
