In The Congo X She’s Bobby’s Girl

Matt Hoysted comes from a horse racing family rich in tradition. He grew up in Wangaratta before moving to Melbourne when he was 13 years old. Having a father as a trainer, Matt grew up in the stables, so it was no surprise that his first job upon moving to Melbourne was for Lloyd Williams at his Flemington stables with his uncle, Robert Hickmott, who was then stable foreman.

During his four years there, the stable transitioned to the world class training establishment Macedon Lodge. In that time Matt was able to work around champions like Efficient, Gallic and Zipping. Matt was then offered a position to work for Michael Moroney at his Flemington stable where he plied his trade for five years, of which three were served as assistant trainer. In that time the stable had Group 1 winners Brazilian Pulse, Monaco Consul and Glass Harmonium.

At the end of 2014 Matt made the move to Brisbane where he worked under leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan for 18 months before becoming assistant trainer for Steve O’Dea, who had prepared a swathe of Proven Thoroughbreds gallopers since 2009.

Less than four years into his role with the O’Dea stable, Matt was promoted to co-trainer and it wasn’t long before the partnership celebrated its first Group 1 together when Uncommon James triumphed in the Oakleigh Plate.

In 2024, Steve made the decision to step away from training which paved the way for Matt to become head trainer for the stable under the rebranded banner of Matt Hoysted Racing. Matt’s hands-on approach aligns with Proven’s training philosophy and has produced stakes winners like Scallopini, Gotta Kiss, Sesar, Candika, Stroll, Better Get Set & Canadian Dancer.

Eagle-eyed punters would have noticed a connection between the ultra-impressive 2yo winner at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and a filly Proven Thoroughbreds purchased on the Gold Coast in January.

SATONO GLOW (forget about AUTUMN GLOW!) produced a rousing last to first victory on debut over the 1000m, coming off only one trial.

That lone trial took place on February 24 at Hawkesbury where she won the quickest of the 800m 2yo heats of the morning. But it was the effort of the runner-up LAVA FLOW that really commanded attention.

Having his first ever public hit out, LAVA FLOW was sooled forward from an outside gate and did a power of work in front.

SATONO GLOW had the drop on him travelling a length away and after looming up as though she was going to race straight past him, LAVA FLOW fought back and restricted the margin to just over half a length, with a gap back to third.

Trial form certainly has its limitations, but history will tell you it can be applied with confidence when assessing 2yos.

Tom Charlton, co-trainer of SATONO GLOW, indicated stakes potential for his filly which would no doubt have been music to the ears of LAVA FLOW’s ownership group.

LAVA FLOW was a $275,000 yearling. What if we told you the half-sister was purchased this year for $110,000?

If you’re looking for a bargain filly with breeding upside, then this is your horse.