HOUTZEN TAKES OUT TOP HONOURS AT AWARDS:
LAST night Houtzen was crowned Gold Coast’s Feature Horse Of The Year and if her first public appearance this season is anything to go by the filly’s success won't stop anytime soon.
Houtzen took all before her as a two-year-old, winning the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in a year where only a bog track stopped her from challenging for the Golden Slipper.
The filly finished fifth in the Slipper behind She Will Reign.
It’s always an unknown whether a star two-year-old can enjoy the same success in the next season but Houtzen has already dismissed any doubt surrounding her ability as a three-year-old.
Houtzen won a 1000m barrier trial on the Gold Coast yesterday by 3-1/2 lengths in 57.8 seconds with jockey Jeff Lloyd holding strong on the straight before running through the line strong.
“I was very happy with the trial. It was exactly what we wanted,” Edmonds said.
“She will head to Melbourne and have her first start back in the (Group Two) McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 9.”
Edmonds has already revealed Craig Williams will ride Houtzen in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 9.
Jeff Lloyd has been in the saddle for all of Houtzen’s five starts but because the stakes is a weight-for-age race the champion hoop won’t be able to ride her at 50kg.
The Steve Tregea-trained Niccanova was named Gold Coast Horse Of The Year after a stunning debut season where the then three-yearold gelding won four races across Sunshine Coast, Doomben, Gold Coast and Eagle Farm.
A Group 3 victory at Eagle Farm was the highlight while he placed third in his other two runs of the preparation.
Jag Guthmann-Chester, Dan Griffin and Helen Page received the apprentice jockey, jockey and trainer titles while Wack’em won Premiership Horse Of The Year.