Fleet footed I Am Invincible filly Houtzen cemented her claims for a start in the $10 million Everest with a comfortable victory at Moonee Valley on Friday night in the Group III MVRC Scarborough Stakes.
Ridden forward by regular partner Jeff Lloyd to take the lead, Houtzen controlled the race and kicked clear in the straight to win by a soft length in a brisk 1:10.75.
It was the second run back from a spell for Houtzen, who won the Magic Millions Classic in January and was a game fifth in the Group I ATC Golden Slipper behind She Will Reign.
“She wasn’t wound up at her first start back,” said Jeff Lloyd.
“The six furlongs today suited her a lot better and she travelled well and sprinted home.”
Her trainer Toby Edmonds was well pleased with the run.
“She has a high cruising speed and has had three weeks between runs, so she’ll improve a lot from that,” he said.
“The Everest is her grand final, so we’ve left a bit in the tank.”
A $105,000 Magic Millions purchase for her trainer from the Yarraman Park draft, Houtzen was bred by the late Noel Leckie and has won five from seven starts earning $1.5 million in prizemoney.
She is the first winner from Reset mare Set to Unleash, whose dam is a half-sister to globe-trotting Champion 3YO Filly Sun Classique.
Houtzen is a star performer for Yarraman Park’s flagship sire I Am Invincible, who is fully booked this spring at a fee of $110,000.
Race replay courtesy of Racing.com
