Top-ranking Toby Edmonds is out to continue hot form with five runners at Eagle Farm

AUSTRALIA’S hottest stable is poised to add to its winning tally at Eagle Farm today, as Toby Edmonds bides his time on deciding the next move for potential star Houtzen.

Trainer Toby Edmonds has the best strike rate in Australia. Picture: Richard Gosling

AUSTRALIA’S hottest stable is poised to add to its winning tally at Eagle Farm, as Toby Edmonds bides his time on deciding the next move for potential star Houtzen.

Of all stables in Australia’s top 20 this season, none has a better strike rate than Edmonds, who is shooting at 27.6 per cent.

His metropolitan statistics are even more compelling, with his 32 winners coming at a lofty 31.7 per cent.

“We’ve worked hard for it. It’s no fluke,” Edmonds said.

“We have a lot of good clients supporting us and it is very satisfying to see the horses racing so well.”

Houtzen spent some time at Edmonds’ new farm this week and has come through her debut in sparkling order.

Ratings analyst Daniel O’Sullivan assessed her Doomben win as one of the top three two-year-old performances in Australia this season alongside the 1000m debut of Madeenaty and Sydney winner She Will Reign.

“It’s good to have that there, but in the end they have to do it and measure up on race day,” Edmonds said.

“What I would suggest is that she’s got a lot of improvement from that race.”

Tiara Star, who will run in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes, wins first-up at the Sunshine Coast and Toby Edmonds says she’s improved. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

With Despatch and She’s Our Star ruled out of two-year-old Magic Millions contention, Houtzen is 16th in the order of entry, meaning Edmonds is walking a tightrope on whether she needs to start next Saturday in order to make the field.

“We will nominate for next week and monitor how many others might jump ahead of her,” he said.

At Eagle Farm, Edmonds has another strong hand, with I Am The Sculptor, Prompt Return, Tiara Star, Mr Epic and Flaming Aces.

“It’s a bit hard to line (Tiara Star) up,” he said.

“I know she ran (a) quick time, but they were breaking a lot of class records that day, so I’m not sure how much we can take from that.

“I do know she has come back much better this time.

“She has strengthened up and was probably over the top in both of those early runs she had last time in.

“Prompt Return has been set for this race. He likes Eagle Farm and hopefully he can get home over the top of them.

“I Am The Sculptor is in good order. He got over racing last time and was still very fresh. He won’t be as fresh (today). He’s ready to go now.

“The barrier is a bit of a problem. Jeff (Lloyd) will have to deal with that, but other than that, it looks a nice race for him.”

Originally published as Top-ranking Toby Edmonds is out to continue hot form with five runners at Eagle Farm