Horror barrier draw hurts Houtzen’s Magic Millions ambitions
UNBEATEN filly Houtzen’s chances of maintaining its unbeaten run in Saturday’s Magic Millions 2yo Classic have taken a hit after the red-hot elect drew the outside gate.
The Toby Edmunds-trained favourite will jump from barrier 21, prompting Crownbet.com.au to move the prodigious filly out to $3.80 from the $3.60 quote the company offered prior to today.
Chris Waller-trained From Within was the big winner in the barrier draw.
The Not A Single Doubt product drew gate 7 and subsequently was moved into joint favouritism at Crownbet.com.au alongside Houtzen.
Waller said that despite the buzz around his filly, punters may need to lower their expectations given the quality of Saturday’s 2yo Classic.
“It is a big task ahead, only her second race start in a high pressure race at that,” Waller said.
“So we are prepared for anything, but we do know that we have a good filly on our hands.”
Crownbet believe it will be a race in two, given Houtzen and From Within are the only two runners below the $7.50, and despite drawing the carpark gate, connections of the Edmund-trained filly are optimistic heading into Saturday.
Part-owner of Houtzen, Darren Halpin admitted connections were ‘devastated’ after the barrier draw, but said the team took confidence from the trainer’s assuredness after the worst case scenario took place.
“I turned the tile to the crowd and they all booed, I thought this can’t be good.” Halpin told Racing.com’s Brad Bishop post-barrier draw.
“Toby [Edmonds] was quite calm, he said ‘Mate, that’s okay, we’ll do the rest, you stay out of it and we’ll sort it’.
“I think it’s now up to Jeff [Lloyd] and Toby to have a go and find the front and win I suppose.
“Jeff knows the horse well so I’m not too worried about it.
“It’s not [the end of her chances], I think she’s fast enough out of the gates that whatever we want to do with her, she can do.”
Magic Millions 2yo Classic market
Odds provided by Crownbet.com.au
(Bracketed number denotes the gate the horse will jump from)
1. Ours To Keep (4) $7.50
2. Goodfella (14) $17
3. Bring It Home Pop (20) $81
4. Chauffeur (12) $23
5. Falconic (8) $26
6. Saxton Rock (15) $151
7. Arrestar (11) $126
8. Madeenaty (1) $8.50
9. Champ Elect (17) $34
10. Invincible Star (16) $8.50
12. Madame Moustache (13) $41
13. From Within (7) $3.8
14. Real Princess (10) $71
15. Colosimo (18) $81
16. Cellargirl (6) $31
17. Tiara Star (2) $71
18. Invader (9) $34
19. Imaginalthepeople (3) $201
20. Zukaz (5) $251
21. Gwapo (19) $301