Houtzen has to create history in Millions

Zara and Mike Phillips reacting after drawing barrier 21
Star filly Houtzen has drawn the outside barrier for the Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast.

Star filly Houtzen will have to become only the third horse in history to come from the outside barrier to win the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic at the Gold Coast.

Houtzen drew barrier 21 in the field of 16 plus five emergencies for Saturday’s $2 million race.

Molokai Prince (1988) and Malibu Magic (1989) both started from barrier 16 to win.

However, Molokai Prince won a race restricted to colts and geldings while Malibu Magic’s win was against all fillies when the race was run in two divisions.

After the barriers came out on Tuesday, Houtzen ($3.80) conceded favouritism to the Chris Waller-trained filly From Within ($3.40) who drew barrier seven.

Trainer Toby Edmonds said the draw made Houtzen’s task hard and she would need luck.

“It is hard to get cover from that barrier but it is what it is,” Edmonds said.

Trainer Chris Munce was delighted when Ours To Keep drew barrier four.

“It should give him every chance as there should be plenty of pace and he can get a sit,” Munce said.

Ours To Keep shortened to $8 but Munce’s other runner, the filly Champ Elect, blew to $51 after drawing barrier 17.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly Invincible Star also drew poorly in 16.

Invincible Star worked at Eagle Farm over 600m on Tuesday morning and pleased Waterhouse.

“She is a seasoned traveller now and I didn’t want to rush her into the race,” she said.

Invincible Star hasn’t started since winning at Flemington in November but Waterhouse points to her 2012 runner No Looking Back as a precedent.

No Looking Back, like Invincible Star, was having only her second start when first across the line that year before losing on protest to stablemate Dreifontein.

Unbeaten colt Winning Rupert remains the $1.65 favourite for the Magic Millions Guineas after drawing barrier six.

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