Easy for Houtzen with Everest decision pending

Darryl Sherer - Friday September 29

Houtzen registered an easy win in Friday night's Group III Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley but a decision is yet to made on a start in The Everest.

Houtzen was untroubled towards the finish of the Scarborough Stakes. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Having finished a creditable third against older horses first-up in the Group II McEwen Stakes on September 9, Houtzen was able to dominate back against three-year-old fillies.

Ridden for 200m to hold the lead, Jeff Lloyd had an easy sit aboard Houtzen who set a solid tempo.

Clear around the home turn, Houtzen ($1.35) was untroubled in the run to the line to defeat Mintha ($31) by a length with True Excelsior ($21) a head away third in 1:10.75.

Trainer Toby Edmonds said he was satisfied with the performance.

"She hasn't won by a big margin but that's not that her style," Edmonds said. "It's been three weeks between runs for her so she'll improve a lot off that.

"Jeff was keen to be aggressive from the barrier and make his intentions known to get some cheap sectionals and she's strong enough to be able to hold on."

Edmonds said he expects a decision on a start in the $10m The Everest will be made on Monday.

"The Everest has always been her grand final so we've left a little bit in the tank," Edmonds said.

"We'll sit down and think about it (Everest), we're not going to make a decision tonight. We'll have the conversation with Aquis (part-owners) who have the slot - the best part about it is they're conscious the horse comes first.

"If we don't go to The Everest we'll stay in Melbourne against three-year-olds.

"If I want to run in The Everest we'll run but we'll probably make the call on Monday."

Advertisment
More Reading...
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.