Revisit the story of how Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds set Houtzen on the path to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic
There is something familiar about this potential Magic Millions 2YO Classic contender for a Gold Coast trainer.
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REVISIT the tale from December 27, 2016 when Houtzen emerged as a contender for the 2017 Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
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THERE is something familiar about potential Magic Millions 2YO Classic contender Houtzen for Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds.
Edmonds has seen it all before and that’s why he isn’t getting caught up in the hype surrounding the promising filly who is equal second favourite at $8 for the $2 million Classic on January 14.
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Houtzen scored an easy win on debut at Doomben on Saturday to take her prizemoney to $40,200 and put her into equal 17th place in the order of entry for the 16-horse Magic Millions field.
Edmonds also launched the career of Houtzen’s sire I Am Invincible, who has gone on to become one of Australia’s hottest stallions with progeny such as Brazen Beau.
Like Houtzen, I Am Invincible also won first-up – at Warwick Farm in 2007 while Edmonds was training in Sydney but was taken off the trainer and given to the Hawkes stable after just eight months.
He went on to win Listed and Group 3 races but he has made more impact off the track as a sire.
The unpredictable nature of the industry and two-year-olds means Edmonds isn’t getting ahead of himself when it comes to his best Magic Millions hope to date.
Edmonds admitted losing I Am Invincible was frustrating but it wasn’t a case of unfinished business with his progeny.
“It was a bit of a kick in the arse, actually, but that’s life,” Edmonds said. “You don’t whinge about it. Things happen like that in racing.
“Horses move around from time to time and that’s what happens. That same year I lost three Group horses to another trainer.”
Edmonds has found success with a number of I Am Invincible’s progeny but said he didn’t target Houtzen because of the filly’s link to the stallion.
“We just liked the filly. She was a nice filly and we were fortunate enough to be able to purchase her,” said Edmonds, who paid $105,000 for Houtzen at the Gold Coast sales in January.
“I was fortunate enough to be able to buy some of his progeny and we have had a lot of luck with most of the ones we have bought.
“Hopefully this filly can justify it at Magic Millions day if she gets a run.”
Not only did I Am Invincible and Houtzen win first-up but both won by impressive margins – five lengths and four lengths respectively.
But while I Am Invincible only raced up to 1200m, Edmonds predicted Houtzen to go 1400m and further.
“I Am Invincible was probably a bit smarter than her,” Edmonds said.
“This filly should train on and get to 1400m or a mile next season. That’s what we are looking for.”
Edmonds will only run Houtzen again before the Magic Millions if she needs more prizemoney and said she could go even quicker than her maiden victory.
“We eased her down with about 50m or 75m to go so I’d imagine she can go quicker,” Edmonds said. “But she was going to win easily anyway so it was no good bottoming her out. She has got a fair way to go and we have to keep something in the tank.”
Edmonds is also hopeful Tiara Star, who has $26,000 in prizemoney, can push for a place in the 2YO Classic.
Tiara Star will run in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Eagle Farm where a $128,000 pay day awaits the winner.
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