Queensland filly Houtzen has bounced back to winning ways at Moonee Valley but trainer Toby Edmonds is yet to confirm whether she will take her place in The Everest.
Houtzen has long been slated to run in the $10 million The Everest at Randwick for slot holder Aquis Farm.
But Edmonds said it was not set in stone and he would talk to the owners and Aquis in the next few days.
The three-year-old was beaten into third in the McEwen Stakes against older horses at Moonee Valley but bounced back on Friday night with a one-length win over Mintha in the Group Three Scarborough Stakes at the same track.
Unlike her previous start, Houtzen was ridden aggressively to lead and was never headed but Edmonds said there was no immediate decision on her next start.
“We’re going to sit down and think about it,” Edmonds said.
“We’re not going to make a decision tonight. We’ll have a talk to Aquis who have the slot and the best part about it is they’re conscious the horse comes first.
“We’ll put her first and if we think there’s a better race we might go that way.
“If I want to run her in the Everest, I’ve got a run. But if we’re going to hurt her in any way against those older horses we’re not going to run.
“We’ll make that call probably on Monday.”
Edmonds is adamant there is still improvement to come from the Magic Millions winner whose victory was her first at Group level.
“She hasn’t won by a big margin but she’s that type of filly,” Edmonds said.
“She’s got a high cruising speed and it was three weeks between runs. So she’ll improve a stack off that.”
Jeff Lloyd was back aboard Houtzen after Craig Williams rode her at 50kg last start.
“That was more like her,” Lloyd said.
He believes she would be competitive in The Everest 2017.
“I think she’s a live chance with a light weight, I really do,” Lloyd said.
