Toby Edmonds’ Magic Millions Classic winning filly from last year Houtzen returned to winning form on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’ in Sydney posting her first win of the year in the PJ Bell Stakes 2018 at Royal Randwick.

Toby Edmonds’ filly Houtzen was back to winning form in the 2018 PJ Bell Stakes at Royal Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.

The daughter of I Am Invincible was a precocious and well-performing two-year-old who won her opening four career starts on the trot including the lucrative $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at her home Gold Coast track in 2017.

A fifth in last year’s Golden Slipper in Sydney followed before her spring return where from four runs she enjoyed just the one win at The Valley in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) second-up.

The now three-year-old was second-up again in the Group 3 $200,000 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) and took her career earnings up to close to $2 million in prize money with a hard-fought win.

First-up Houtzen was three lengths beaten for third to I Am Excited at Randwick on March 10 in the Listed Fireball Quality (1100m) and with the run under her belt, she improved getting up to 1200m back at the track in the PJ Bell.

“We knew we had her quite underdone when we had her here a month ago,” winning trainer Edmonds said post-victory.

“Today she just looked super…her work’s been great at home and it was just a great ride.

“There were some doubts whether she was the genuine type….so happy for all the owners. Great effort.”

Houtzen was certainly given a peach of a ride by Glyn Schofield who mustered her forward early to settle up on the pace on the Good-rated Randwick track.

The PJ Bell Stakes field was led around by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Debonairly who crossed from the wide barrier to take-up front running in the sprint.

Houtzen meanwhile travelled beautifully in second throughout, ridden quietly as Schofield waited to make his move on the straight.

A furlong out Houtzen ($8) hit the lead and despite a host of fillies challenging in a bunched finish, she fended them all off in a typically tough effort over the James Cummings-trained Manicure ($21) and third placegetter Problem Solver ($14) who continued her string of placings.

Houtzen holds a nomination for a possible seven day back-up in Saturday week’s Group 2 $600,000 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) at the same track and distance against the boys.

All-in Arrowfield 3YO Sprint betting at Ladbrokes.com.au had her at $26 before her PJ Bell Stakes win, Houtzen since firming into $13.

Check out all the upcoming Sydney racing odds and offers online this autumn through Ladbrokes.com.au.

2018 PJ Bell Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 3 – 07/04/2018