It’s going to be one hell of a party at Gold Coast track if Houtzen wins $10 million The Everest

IT will be party central at the Gold Coast Turf Club today when racegoers celebrate fantastic filly Houtzen’s ­appearance in the $10 million The Everest at Randwick.

Gold Coast horse Houtzen will race in Saturday's $10 million The Everest and Aquis Park will be hosting a bunch of promotional activities at their Saturday meeting to celebrate. Aquis Park staff members Mia Kiernan, Jane Kiernan and Jacinda Passeri are excited about this weekend events. Photo: Jerad Williams

IT will be party central at the Gold Coast Turf Club today when racegoers celebrate fantastic filly Houtzen’s ­appearance in the $10 million The Everest at Randwick.

Houtzen, who is trained by Gold Coaster Toby Edmonds and has local jockey Jeff Lloyd in the saddle, is chasing the $5.8 million first prize in the world’s richest horse race run on turf.

The three-year-old’s racing colours of black and grey will be on show around the Aquis Park track today for the Gold Coast Turf Club’s eight-race meeting.

Club chairman Brett Cook said there would be promotional activities – including Houtzen hats and prizes – to coincide with the filly’s step up racing at the elite level.

“If Houtzen wins, every patron on course will be well looked after,” Mr Cook said.

“Having a horse in the race and with Aquis’s connection to both the club and Houtzen is terrific and it can be a win for all three parties with a bit of luck.”

Houtzen was bought at the 2016 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $105,000 and has since won $1,559,600 in prizemoney.

The filly won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in Jan­uary on her home track and has had two runs this preparation, including a win at Group 3 level in Melbourne at her latest start.

Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox said it was a big day for the Gold Coast racing industry.

“It would certainly be the biggest race in terms of prizemoney that a Gold Coast or Magic Millions horse has been involved in,” Mr Cox said.

“We are particular proud of Houtzen’s feats to date.

“The fact that she is trained on the Gold Coast, pretty much owned on the Gold Coast and with Jeff Lloyd also living on the Gold Coast it’s a wonderful local story.

“The enormity of the race has caused waves around the racing world. Having just been overseas the talk and the interest is astounding.”

Houtzen is by boom stallion I Am Invincible and Mr Cox said the Gold Coast filly’s success had increased the value of any other progeny produced.

“Whenever we get an I Am Invincible horse come through the sales ring there is always the comparison to Houtzen,” Mr Cox said.

“She really has set the mark with what she has done and at the end of the day she wasn’t an expensive yearling.

“Because of her deeds the value of the I Am Invincible stock has gone up enormously.”