Super sprinting mare Houtzen returns to the Gold Coast on Saturday to chase more Magic Millions glory in the $1m It’s Live! In Qld Magic Millions Snippets (1200m).

Houtzen, above, is the odds on favourite for the Magic Millions Snippets at the Gold Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.

Houtzen, above, is the odds on favourite for the Magic Millions Snippets at the Gold Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.

Houzten was the ‘Toast Of The Coast” when she led all of the way to win the 2017 $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) during her two year old season but hasn’t raced on her home track since.

Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds is expecting Houtzen to claim her third win on the Gold Coast after she returned to winning form with an all the way win in the Listed $125,000 Marketing Solutions Bribie Handicap (1050m) at Doomben on December 15.

“She rated so well the other day. It was one of her best wins, in really fast time and she gave them a cold,” Edmonds told The Courier-Mail.

Houtzen has been competitive at Group 1 level and Edmonds believes that the I Am Invincible mare can race on at the top level into her five year old season now that she has fully matured.

“Historically two-year-olds just don’t train on. Luckily she wasn’t over raced at two and she was still maturing,” Edmonds said.

“She was still growing through her two-year-old career and fortunately she’s strengthened.

“She will have a great rest of the season and if the guys decide to race her at five, she will be very competitive in Group 1s if she stays sound.”

Houtzen has drawn barrier nine in the thirteen horse Magic Millions Snippets field and will be ridden again by premiership winning jockey Jeff Lloyd.

Lloyd was the regular rider of Houtzen during her two year old days and was aboard for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic win two years ago and reunited with the mare for her last start win at Doomben.

Houtzen has been installed as the odds on favourite for the Magic Millions Snippets and in the lead up to Saturday’s race is marked at $1.75 with Ladbrokes.com.au with a clear margin to Usain Bowler who is next in the betting at $5 ahead of Invincible Star at $7.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.