Gloucester Park Photo by Pacepix
Water Lou Back To Her Best: Reed
The best of Water Lou will be on display in Friday’s Kerry Clarke (2130m) at Gloucester Park, according to trainer Mike Reed.
The talented mare resumes in the $50,000 event and was the key winner from yesterday’s barrier draw, where she drew kindly in two.
Soho Seraphine, who will also be first-up on Friday night, is the lone runner drawn inside Water Lou.
Reed said barrier two, combined with some encouraging trackwork, had given him plenty of encouragement Water Lou was ready to make an impact on Friday night.
“She worked really well on Saturday morning,” Reed told Racing WA Harness.
“I couldn’t be happier with her, and I think she’s just about back to her best.
“Shannon (Suvaljko) asked me on Tuesday night and I told him some of the times she was running at trackwork.
“He said to me ‘she’s back’.
“It’s not very often Shannon hands up, so I reckon we will lead on Friday.”
Water Lou was unplaced in her most recent outing in April’s Empress Stakes (2536m) and ended a campaign which saw her go winless from five starts.
Reed had hoped the daughter of Sweet Lou would be good enough to fill the Swandoo Harness Racing slot in the Nullarbor, prior to it going to Hoppys Way.
Water Lou meets a quality field of mares in the $50,000 feature, headed by back-to-back Free-For-All winner Aardiebytheseaside and Empress Stakes winner Little Darling.
Trainer Michael Young also has a strong hand to play in the race with Penny Black and Heavenly Gipsy.
While Water Lou has strong claims on being Reed’s best hope in the Kerry Clarke, he also last-start winner Lion Queen engaged as the lone runner off the back line.
Reed indicated Lion Queen had also been working well and would be well suited by the draw.
The Henley Brook trainer also has the progressive Mikis Pride looking to make it two wins for the week in the Join In The Trotsynd Excitement Pace (2130m) on Friday.
Mikis Pride was too classy for his rivals on Tuesday night and looms as the one to beat again on Friday from barrier two.
Reed said Mikis Pride was showing plenty of promise at home.
“He pulled up alright from Tuesday, so he can go again on Friday,” he said.
“I think he should win with his ability.
“He was working with Lion Queen and those calibre of horses and there’s not much between them.
Harper Hopeful On Winter Storm
Reinsman Kyle Harper will be out to maintain a good run of recent form at Gloucester Park tomorrow night, where he teams up with some key chances from favourable draws across the card.
Harper notched a winning double last Friday night with Joey James and Blockjorg and took him to 31 wins for the season.
Blockjorg headlines Harper’s book of drives again tomorrow night, where she lines up in the TABtouch Supports Gloucester Park Pace (1730m).
The mare has drawn barrier two tomorrow night, while key danger Candy Apple has drawn inside her in barrier one.
The win followed two placings over shorter trips at Pinjarra and Bunbury.
Harper said he had been impressed by Blockjorg’s recent form and hoped it could continue tomorrow night.
“She was very good last week,” Harper told Racing WA Harness.
“She’s raced herself into form and loves the short trip.
“Whether she has the speed to cross is probably the big question mark here.
“She will have to go just as well, if not better, than last week to win.”
Talks Up A Storm will be out to build upon an encouraging performance last start when second to Aardiebytheseaside.
The Murray Lindau-trained pacer has recorded just two placings from seven starts this campaign but looks set to play a key role in the www.gloucesterpark.com.au pace (2130m).
The seven-year-old has drawn barrier four tomorrow night and has Alcopony and Ima Fivestar General drawn inside him.
Harper said the gelding’s last start had given him some confidence going into tomorrow night’s assignment.
“I’m not sure exactly where he’s at,” he said.
“His last run was good, but he was chasing a very good one.
“I think he’s working towards a win and racing himself into fitness and form.”
Harper said he expected his night could start off in winning style when Mikipelo lines up from barrier one in the WASBA Supporting Your Industry Pace (2130m).
“He’s only had the one run back, but it wasn’t a bad run,” he said.
“With that run and some fitness under the belt, it looks the right kind of field for him.”
Harper also rated Xcite Me as an each-way chance in the Free Entry At Gloucester Park Pace (2130m).
