Houtzen on way to climb Everest

Star Queensland filly Houtzen is ticking over nicely as she prepares for the biggest pay day of her career in the $10 The Everest at Randwick in October.

Houtzen won the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m) in January and then at her last start was fifth in the Group One Golden Slipper.

She has won four of her five starts and $1.4 million prize money but even bigger rewards await her.

Trainer Toby Edmonds sent her for a spell after the Golden Slipper and she came back into his stable several weeks ago.

“She is going along nicely and should be ready to head to Melbourne in late August or early September,” Edmonds said.

“We will pick some lead-up races for her and then head to The Everest in Sydney.”

Edmonds has no illusions about how hard it will be to win The Everest.

“There are some outstanding horses being aimed at it. But my filly will have 50kg and they will have to run her down.”

“It will be no easy task but she won’t let us down.”

Houtzen, who will race for Aquis Farm, is one of two fillies confirmed for The Everest along with Slipper winner She Will Reign who has Yu Long Investments’ slot in the race.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained English will represent Tabcorp, Fell Swoop runs for William Inglis and Son while champion sprinter Chautauqa’s part-owner Greg Ingham has bought his slot.

The Star Entertainment Group will have a representative from the Lindsay Park stable with senior trainer David Hayes saying its runner will be confirmed closer to the October 14 race day.

Irish racing and breeding power Coolmore has tentatively flagged Caravaggio will take its slot with the unbeaten colt to run in Saturday’s July Cup at Newmarket.