Houtzen backed to scale Everest

QUEENSLANDERS have beaten and embarrassed NSW in State of Origin – now they want to win the world’s richest race on turf.

That’s the bold plan for Gold Coast-trained filly Houtzen, who will race with the support of an entire state in The TAB Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Houtzen, who has Far North-based connections, is currently $26 with the TAB and is the only Queensland horse in the mega-race worth a staggering $10 million.

Trainer Toby Edmonds has rubbished any suggestion that he and Houtzen’s connections are merely in the race to make up the numbers.

“We’re the only Queensland horse and there’s four from Victoria and the rest are from NSW – so it’s a bit like State of Origin,” Edmonds said.

“We’re the underdog and hopefully that Queensland spirit comes out on Everest day and she (Houtzen) performs to her best.

“I’m actually a NSW supporter but I’m a Queenslander (on) Saturday.

“They’re (Queensland people) behind us. The Gold Coast Turf Club and Racing Queensland are all on the front foot, promoting that support on social media.

“I understand she’s got a big task ahead of her. But we’ll do our form the best we can and work out where our best possible chance is to win.

“If we get that right, we’ll be in the race for a long way.

“Put it this way, we’re not going to run a place – we’re going there to try and win and spring an upset, in typical Queensland fashion. “It can be done.” Asked what winning the inaugural running of The Everest would be like, Edmonds said: “It would be like winning Lotto. I’d be silly to say the nerves won’t be different on the day, but we’re trying to keep a lid on it while we can and then let the emotion flow after it.”

Houtzen will travel to Randwick with four victories under her belt, including a laststart Moonee Valley win.

“She’s going great,” Edmonds said.

“She came through that run at Moonee Valley in really good order. She’s bouncing off the walls.”