Connections fancy Houtzen for Royal Ascot
HOUTZEN is set to take on the world, with trainer Toby Edmonds setting the speedy mare for the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Part-owned by Geelong’s Peter Mullen, Houtzen will contest the race on June 18, with connections believing the 1000m race is the perfect chance for their star to secure a maiden Group 1 victory.
Edmonds travelled to England last week to scout locations to stable Houtzen with the four-year-old set to run first-up in the race.
Mullen said it had always been his dream to have a runner at Royal Ascot.
“It’s always been on the bucket list to go to Royal Ascot, but that will be fasttracked now that we will have a runner,” Mullen said.
“I’ve been talking (to my wife) Rhonda for years about going over there, maybe the last 10 years.
“But having a runner, we will definitely be there.
“I don’t own a top hat, I can’t find one big enough. I’ll have to find one somewhere.”
Australians have traditionally performed well in the King’s Stand Stakes, with Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) all recent winners of the race.
Mullen was hopeful Houtzen had the class to add her name to the honour board.
“Over 1000m, if she is right she will take some catching,” Mullen said.
“We want to try our luck on the big stage. A 1000m race suits her down to the ground.
“There’s only a limited amount of 1000m Group 1 races in Australia.
“She will go over there at the end of March (and we will go from there).”
Mullen said Houtzen has spelled well after finishing 10th in the $1 million Magic Millions Sprint last month.
“She hurt her foot in that race,” Mullen said.
“It was a really bad bruised inside hoof injury that they only picked up the following week (after the race). She is well and truly over that now.
“She’s had a month off and she will be back training in the next couple of weeks to get ready for it (Royal Ascot).”