Houtzen’s Slipper lead-up in Brisbane

Star filly Houtzen will have her lead-up run to the Golden Slipper in Brisbane next weekend after a slashing gallop at Doomben.

Ridden by jockey Jeff Lloyd, Houtzen worked over 600m with stablemate Always Scared (Jim Byrne) between races on Saturday.

The pair quickened in the last 400m, running the full 600m in 32.22 seconds.

It was Houtzen’s first serious hit-out since she won the Magic Millions Classic on January 14.

Trainer Toby Edmonds said at this stage Houtzen would run in a two-year-old race over 1000m in Brisbane next Saturday.

Houtzen is expected to get either 61kg or 62kg, depending on the rest of the field.

“The only thing that might change is if there is heavy rain in Brisbane. We will have the Black Opal in Canberra on Sunday week as a back-up,” Edmonds said.

“That was a very good hit-it out today and she did exactly what we wanted.”

Next weekend’s run is likely to be the only outing Houtzen will have before the $6 million Golden Slipper on March 18.