Houtzen to walk Magic Millions tightrope

First starter Houtzen showed she was a genuine Magic Millions Classic chance with a Doomben win but she will have to walk a prize money tightrope to make the field.

Despite winning a Gold Coast trial brilliantly, Houtzen was an original second emergency but was backed in to $1.90 favourite on Saturday morning when she gained a start.

She bounced straight to the lead and scored by four lengths to Garrard ($4.40) with three-quarters of a length to She’s Our Star ($.7.50) in the QTIS Two Year Old (1050m).

Houtzen, who cost $105,000 as a yearling, clocked 59.43 seconds which was a class record and only 0.23s outside the course record.

She has now won $40,200 making her equal 17th to make the field on January 14.

“If we have to run again to get some more prize money so be it,” trainer Toby Edmonds said.

He has a big opinion of Houtzen who he expects to be improved by the run.

“She was hot before the race and wears ear muffs but that is her. Jeff (jockey Lloyd) knew he was on the best horse and just let her run in the lead.”

Garrad only has $18,000 prize money and will need to win a race to get into the Classic field while will She’s Our Star is 14th on the entry list.

Cellargirl, who was slow to jump and came from last to be fourth, is now in 15th place after collecting an extra $1200,

The order is likely to change dramatically after Sydney racing on Monday and Brisbane’s Eagle Farm meeting next Saturday.

Meanwhile, trainer Les Kelly has a double-barrelled mission in mind for Volpino ($4.40) who scored a two-length win in the QTIS Three Year Old (1615m)

“He covered more ground than Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson when they crossed the Blue Mountains at his last start,” Kelly said.

“Damian Browne gave him the run of the race today and he showed what he can do.”

“We will press on to the Magic Millions Guineas in three weeks and then put him away for the winter. I think he might be a Queensland Derby horse.”

Volpino has won $76,300 and will need a few horses above him to drop out to make the Guineas field.

Realing ($2.60) finished second and with $62,000 in eligible prize money will also need luck to make the Guineas.