Guy Walter expected to train the winner of the Group One Myer Classic at Flemington on Saturday – and he did.
What he didn’t expect was to win it with the 40-1 chance Appearance.
“That’s not the result I expected,” Walter said.
“I thought Streama would win, not this one.”
Appearance came from the outside barrier in the 13-runner field and had to come from near last at the 400m to overpower the leaders and then hold off Soft Sand ($10) to score by a long neck.
Secret Admirer ($8) grabbed third, a further head away.
Walter’s first string Streama, the $3 favourite, weakened to finish eighth after setting a hot pace to the 300m.
The Group One win transformed Appearance from a moderately-performed mare into an immensely valuable breeding commodity for her owner Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum.
“That’s one of the most pleasing aspects of the win – that it is for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation,” Walter said.
“They’ve been very loyal to me and it means a lot to have trained what is now a valuable mare for him.”
Appearance also rewarded jockey Michael Rodd for a frustrating spring carnival in which he has been placed eight times in Group One races before the Myer.
“Let’s hope it’s the turning point,” Rodd said.
“We could be in for a big week.”
