Toby Edmonds praises Houtzen ahead of Magic Millions 2YO Classic which could lead to Golden Slipper

TOBY Edmonds says Houtzen will become the best horse he has trained if the filly wins the Magic Millions 2YO Classic today and a good performance will likely result in a crack at the Golden Slipper.

Houtzen, ridden by Jeff Lloyd. Photo: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

TOBY Edmonds says Houtzen will become the best horse he has trained if the filly wins the Magic Millions 2YO Classic today and a good performance will likely result in a crack at the Golden Slipper.

The Gold Coast trainer has prepared many good horses with I Am Invincible, who he trained early in his career, and Group 1-placed Sagaronne among his best.

But Edmonds said Houtzen would top them by winning the $2 million Classic at Australia’s richest race day on the Gold Coast today.

“I’ve had some nice horses but this filly is heading that way,” Edmonds said.

“If she wins certainly she will be the best horse I’ve had.”

Edmonds revealed he would target the $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill in March if Houtzen kept her unbeaten record intact today.

“If she races well she will get ready for the Slipper,” Edmonds said. “It’s not much time to muck around.

“She will probably have a fortnight off before she gets ready for that.”

Houtzen, the $3.50 second favourite behind Sydney filly From Within ($3.20) will jump from alley 16 and need luck to get into a suitable position.

The I Am Invincible filly has shown brilliant early speed to lead easily in her two wins to date and Edmonds said jockey Jeff Lloyd was likely do something similar today.

“I have to leave it up to the jockey but it would be stupid to go back,” said Edmonds, who believes the result will be determined in the first 150m.

“It’s a speedy track. She’s trained here and knows the track well so we will push forward and if she’s quick enough she can possibly get outside lead or go on to lead if she needed to.”

Edmonds said From Within, Invincible Star and Ours To Keep were the biggest dangers

“Four horses are close on ratings so they are going to have to run some time, don’t worry about that,” he said.

“It will come down to the runs they have in the race, how much pressure and it will all be decided in the first 150m.”

Houtzen won by four lengths in both her wins in Brisbane and the Gold Coast leading up to the 2YO Classic.

She was favourite following her last victory but drifted after drawing the outside gate.

But Edmonds said the odds didn’t matter and was adamant Houtzen needed to step up today.

“It doesn’t mean much being favourite,” Edmonds said.

“It’s easy to beat these QTIS horses the previous two starts but it’s grand final day and she needs to step up and race really well against those horses.”