Toby Edmonds is confident that Magic Millions winner Houtzen will lay a good for herself when she returns to the races in Saturday’s 2017 Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
Houtzen will take her place in Saturday’s Reisling Stakes field at Randwick. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Houtzen is yet to taste anything but success through her short racing career so far, but the 2017 Reisling Stakes will figure as her first test amongst Sydney Saturday-grade company ahead of her major target; the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 18th.
Having been led to the fore of the field in each of her three career starts, Edmonds was thrilled with Houtzen’s work between races at Doomben over the weekend and is confident that she will perform to a high standard in the Reisling Stakes, regardless of where she lands in the run.
“We have always wanted her to trail something in case she needs to be ridden that way in Sydney. That was a good gallop,” Edmonds told The Courier-Mail.
Jockey Jeff Lloyd will retain the ride on the I Am Invincible filly in the Reisling Stakes and is pleased with the filly leading into the race, following Saturday’s work.
“I wanted her to chase a bit more, but she just got to the other horse so quickly,” Lloyd said.
“It was a big improvement on her gallop on Tuesday where the ground was a bit soft.”
Houtzen showed plenty of ability in a Gold Coast barrier trial prior to her competitive debut and immediately stamped herself as a filly to follow when she won the Sky Thoroughbreds Central Handicap (1050m) by four lengths on Christmas Eve.
Delivering a smart field a near-five length defeat in the First National Real Estate Handicap (1100m) on January 7th, Houtzen flew the gates and immediately took up the running in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on January 14th; maintaining well to the line to post a $1.2 million victory.
The 2017 Reisling Stakes field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
Leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2017 Reisling Stakes odds, for which Houtzen can be taken at a generous quote of $7 for success.
