Jockey Jeff Lloyd is excited by the prospect of partnering rising three-year-old Houtzen, who is on track for a competitive return in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 29th.
Houtzen is on track for a competitive return in the Group 1 Moir Stakes in late September. Photo: Steve Hart
Houtzen stormed onto the racing scene during her two-year-old campaign, but was sent to the paddock after failing to handle the heavy going and fifth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens in March.
Lloyd told RSN that the filly has furnished into a bigger, stronger horse ahead of her three-year-old season, but believes that only time will tell if she will take her position as one of Australia’s leading sprinters this time in.
“I’ve had a look at her, but I haven’t been on her yet,” Lloyd said.
“I know that she did a little pace work last week with her regular rider on and she’s a lot bigger and stronger.
“Toby’s (Edmonds, trainer) horses are going really well and I’m sure she’s on track to improve as a three-year-old. We all know her blistering speed and if she can get a little bit strong and bigger, it’s a bit exciting.
“She really travelled well until she hit the course-proper and then her legs went everywhere. She never travelled around the turn and I thought she still ran well and fought on, but just didn’t get through it at all.
“She Will Reign beat her and beat her easily, so on good ground we’ll have to wait and see. It will all tell in the next few months.”
Houtzen trialled well prior to her competitive debut and immediately stamped herself as a filly to follow with a dominant four-length triumph in the Sky Thoroughbred Central Handicap (1050m) on December 24th.
Repeating that effort and result in the First National Real Estate Handicap (1100m), the daughter of I Am Invincible took up the running in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on January 14th and savaged the line to second the $1.2 million winner’s check.
Carrying a record 63kgs to success in the Winning Edge Presentations Handicap (1000m) upon resuming on March 4th, Houtzen led the classy Golden Slipper field into the straight, but was overtaken by She Will Reign with 300m to travel.
Houtzen is currently rated at $15 odds in early betting markets for The Everest (1200m) with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.
