Toby Edmonds trained Houtzen set a new track record at Doomben last weekend clocking a time of 58.83 seconds in the Listed Bribie Handicap over 1050m.
The four-year old’s blistering speed was on full display winning by close to three lengths, which has left connections with no other choice but to aim Houtzen at next months sprint race on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast.
Houtzen’s last Group win came in April in the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.
Edmonds’ son Trent told RSN on Wednesday morning that the plan was to go “race by race”, but a trip back up to Group 1 level is certainly on the cards should the I Am Invincible mare produce the goods next month.
“We’re just really going race by race, the next target is the Magic Millions Day, the sprint race, that’d be fantastic if she was able to win there” Edmonds said.
“That gives us five weeks to the Oakleigh Plate, she profiles pretty well for a race like that, it’ll be a handicap, and she can carry a lighter weight than what she would at weight for age I’d assume, that’ll be the first time she’s ever had a crack at a Group 1 handicap.”
Worth up to $500,000 in prize-money, Houtzen’s best performance in her five Group 1 starts was fifth in September’s Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
With jockey Ryan Maloney on board, the pair stood a strong chance from barrier 2 but saw little luck down the straight caught on the fence behind runner-up Brave Smash.
A change in rider seemed to do the trick last week at Doomben as Jeff Lloyd took full advantage from barrier four. After trialing well in the lead up, Edmonds thinks Houtzen is back in tip-top shape following her last Group 1 start.
“I think it was two and a half weeks out post Melbourne, and we just got her back home, brought her back in, she just had that nice soft trial at Doomben and a couple gallops, but those bits of work in the trials showed that she’s back bigger and better than ever, so very encouraging” Edmonds went on to say.
Houtzen stands as a $10.00 Oakleigh Plate chance with Ladbrokes behind the likes of Sunlight, Written By and $4.00 favourite Nature Strip.
Full odds can be seen below.
The post Houtzen on Path for Ladbrokes Oakleigh Plate appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
