Australian mare Houtzen has run a gallant second in the Group Two King George Stakes at Goodwood won by Battaash for the third time.
The Charlie Hills-trained Battaash was second to Blue Point in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot and was sent out at 1-4 to win at Goodwood.
The five-year-old jumped out of the stalls smartly and after taking an early lead from outsider Ornate, he took over passing the two-furlong marker.
Just when it looked he would go on to record another emphatic success, Houtzen – having her first start for trainer Martyn Meade – came from out of the pack to throw down a challenge, and briefly looked set to make a real race of it.
In the end, however, Battaash was well on top as he passed the post three-quarters of a length to the good, with Ornate boxing on admirably for third.
Battaash will now bid to make it third time lucky in the Group One Nunthorpe at York on August 23.
Meade was thrilled with the former Toby Edmonds-trained Houtzen who stayed in England after being taken there for the King’s Stand in which she slipped at the start.
She is scheduled to be served by Lope De Vega to southern hemisphere time but Meade said he hoped she might stay in training.
“She is a lovely filly,” he said.
“We’ve only had her for a short period of time, but she has adapted well.
“She is one of those horses that has been trained on the track before and being in a different environment she has thrived on it.”
