07 May 2024 | Tim Walker
Exciting pacer Water Lou headlines tonight’s 3YO Diamond Classic (2130m) heats at Gloucester Park, where she will be looking to score her sixth consecutive win.
The Mike Reed-trained filly, who won the 2YO Diamond Classic last August, has drawn barrier six in the first of two heats.
Relatively Arma and Lenora Jane, who have drawn in barrier two and five respectively, are expected to be the testing material for Water Lou.
Reed said Water Lou was showing positive signs ahead of her quest to secure a start in Friday week’s $50,000 feature.
“She’s absolutely thriving,” Reed told TABradio.
“Her work Saturday morning was first-class.
“I just can’t fault her.
“I thought she was a nice early two-year-old, but she keeps getting stronger.”
Reed said he wasn’t concerned where Water Lou found herself in the run.
“If she can lead, good, if not she can sit outside the leader and I still think she can win,” he said.
“She’s been working with Hoppys Way, Blitzembye, Kevin Keys’ horse (Alcopony) and sits on them and blows them away.”
The second heat is expected to be a lot more even contest, with Xceptional Arma, Miss Hepburn, Sugar Delight and Nase Vira all engaged.
Xceptional Arma will be looking to bounce back from her unplaced performance in the Go To Allwood Stud To Breed Your Westbred Star Pace (1730m) on Friday night, when she was beaten as a warm favourite.
The Colin Brown-trained filly will start from barrier seven, with Sugar Delight (barrier two) and Nase Vira (five) drawn inside her.
Miss Hepburn led and won on Friday night but has drawn outside Xceptional Arma in barrier eight.
Tim Walker
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