Houtzen’s win boosts Edmonds’ confidence

Trainer Toby Edmonds and jockey Jeff Lloyd are full of confidence they can win their first Group One Golden Slipper after Houzten scored an easy win at Eagle Farm.

On a day when two of her main Slipper rivals, She Will Reign and Madeenaty, were beaten, Houtzen gave nothing else a chance in the QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap (1000m).

Starting a $1.24 favourite, Houtzen scored by four lengths from Miss Exfactor ($20) and 3 1/2 lengths to Acceptile ($15).

Houtzen carried 63kg which was the most lumped by a two-year-old filly to win in Brisbane since Strong Queen scored at Eagle Farm in 1972.

She was having her first start since winning the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.

Edmonds had debated most of the week where to run Houtzen after she also accepted for Sydney’s Reisling Stakes and the Black Opal in Canberra.

“I knew she had 63 kilograms here which is a big impost in anyone’s language. But I knew she would win but I also expected her to win like that,” Edmonds said.

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“She had been able to work on the course proper at Doomben last week and that got her ready.”

“It is my first Golden Slipper runner and I hope my first winner. We will see where we draw before deciding how to ride her in the Slipper.”

Houtzen will head to Sydney the week before the Slipper without having another run.

Lloyd will be having his first ride in the Slipper and is also confident he can win at his first go.

“I had a good ride lined up for the Slipper a few years back but it was scratched,” he said.

Lloyd put his saddle down after weighing in and was asked whether it was because it was hot.

“No it is very heavy. It really was a big weight. But the win was in a word – good,” Lloyd said.