Houtzen now an Everest certainty
Coast flyer Houtzen bounced back to winning ways at Moonee Valley and has been confirmed to take her place in The Everest.
Houtzen will run in the $10 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14 for slot holder Aquis Farm.
Yesterday afternoon, Aquis Farm confirmed Houtzen would be taking their spot in The Everest.
The three-year-old filly, who has connections in the Far North, was beaten into third in the McEwen Stakes (1000m) against older horses at Moonee Valley on September 9 but bounced back on Friday night with a one-length win over Mintha in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at the same track.
Unlike her previous start, when Melbourne jockey Craig Williams was in the saddle, Houtzen was ridden aggressively by Gold Coast hoop Jeff Lloyd to lead and was never headed.
After the race on Friday night, Edmonds said there was no immediate decision on her next start before confirming yesterday the direction of the horse.
“We’re going to sit down and think about it,” he said. “We’ll put her first. “If we’re going to hurt her in any way against those older horses we’re not going to run.”
Edmonds is adamant there is still improvement to come from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, whose victory on Friday was her first at Group level.
“She hasn’t won by a big margin but she’s that type of filly,” he said. “She’s got a high cruising speed and it was three weeks between runs, so she’ll improve a stack off that.”
Lloyd was back on Houtzen after he couldn’t ride at her 50kg handicap last start.
“That was more like her,” Lloyd said after the win.
He believes she would be competitive in The Everest.
“I think she’s a live chance with a light weight, I really do,” Lloyd said.
Houtzen completed a winning double from as many rides for Lloyd, who took out the Callaway golf clubs up for grabs each week of the night racing season at the Valley.
It’s possible horses that competed during the Queensland Winter Carnival could make up half of the field for The Everest. Already Houtzen, Redzel, Deploy and Fell Swoop have spots.