Houtzen ready for takeoff

Punters have climbed into the Toby Edmonds-trained filly, who is set to start favourite ahead of Group 1 winner Russian Revolution and Group 1 placegetters Hellbent, Heatherly, Missrock and Supido in the Group 2 sprint on Saturday.

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Casey said Edmonds had tried to keep a lid on expectations in his assessments to the filly’s owners. “He’s been quietly confident. Everything has been positive, but conservative,” Casey said.

But it’s the comments by Lloyd that has really built expectations for the filly’s return.

“Jeff has been very positive. He’s given us a lot of confidence,” Casey said. “He rode her in a track gallop the opposite way before she flew down and thinks she’s going to be very hard to beat.”

Like the Golden Slipper and Magic Millions, Houtzen has drawn close to the outside, something Casey has suggested his trainer do something about.

“I’ve told Toby he needs to go to church on Sunday and appease the barrier gods because we don’t seem to be going too well at the moment,” he said.

Casey is fully aware Houtzen’s spring campaign will be tougher than anything she’s faced in her career. “We’re taking on some of the best sprinters there is,” he said. “It’s a huge notch up and she will be tested for sure. Going on the opposite way and with the barrier, there’s a fair bit against us and I guess that’s why Toby’s trying to be conservative.”

Casey and his co-owners have sold 10 per cent of Houtzen to Aquis Farm since the Golden Slipper, with Aquis securing Houtzen for its slot in $ 10m The Everest at Royal Randwick on October 14.

“The guys in this horse with me have been racing as a group for 20 years and the best we’ve had before her was a Saturday off-season handicapper,” Casey said.

“The Everest is beyond our wildest dreams. Full credit to Aquis, they stepped in right from the start and we were the only horse they talked to. Their deal has been very generous to us.”