Hijack Hussy bounces back at Flemington
A return to winning form at Flemington may have earned Hijack Hussy a trip to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions meeting.
Formerly prepared in Queensland by Tony Gollan, Hijack Hussy was sent south by senior part-owner Joe O’Neill earlier in the year and landed her first win for Darren Weir on Saturday, taking out the Beachside Handicap (1400m).
Ridden by apprentice Beau Mertens, Hijack Hussy ($10) scored a short-head victory over La Speciale ($6) with Lady Selkirk ($6.50) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Hijack Hussy is likely to now target the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares (1300m) on January 14.
“It was D-day today,” Weir said.
“She’s a Magic Millions horse and Joe’s very keen to run his horses up there and I’d say we’ll probably head towards that.
“If she didn’t do what she did today I’d say she would have been retired.”
Hijack Hussy ran third in the Magic Millions Guineas in 2015 but missed the carnival earlier this year.
Saturday’s outing was her fourth start this campaign and Weir was scratching his head searching for answers in a bid to turn her form around.
The mare was in a better frame of mind before the race which Weir said may have accounted for it.
“The strapper mentioned today she had an unbelievable change in attitude,” Weir said.
“She’s usually very piggy, wanting to kick and bite everyone and then drag you around the yard, but she did none of that.
“Maybe that’s a good sign.”
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