Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Brilliant youngster Water Lou gave further proof that she is the State’s best two-year-old filly when she crushed her rivals in the $100,000 GPHR Diamond Classic at Gloucester Park on Friday night and showed that she has next month’s $215,000 Westbred Classic at her mercy.
She is now unbeaten at seven starts, and her easy victory gave veteran Kevin Keys his third group 1 training success, following wins with Itsallabout Nicole in the Pearl Classic on June 19, 2009, and Batavia Touchngo in the Sires Series final for two-year-old fillies a week later.
Remarkably, Water Lou followed the same pattern as Batavia Touchngo, who was driven by Gary Hall Jnr and began speedily from out wide at barrier No. 8 to set the pace ands go on and win from Centrefold Angel.
And that was the plan on Friday night when Water Lou started from the outside barrier (No. 9) in the 2130m Diamond Classic. Shannon Suvaljko got Water Lou away brilliantly and the filly burst straight to the front and went on to win by just under two lengths from Miss Hepburn, who trailed the leader all the way.
“It’s hard to cross to the front from a wide barrier in 2130m races,” said Keys. “But that was the plan to try to zap them at the start. I expected a bit of a tussle, and I was very impressed with the way Water Lou went. She will probably have a little freshen up before the Westbred Classic (on September 15).”
If Water Lou wins the classic, she could well be set the task of clashing with the State’s best colts and geldings in the $150,000 Golden Slipper on September 29.
Because of the wide barrier Water Lou was great value as the $2.90 second fancy on the tote, with Xceptional Arma the 2.15 favourite from barrier No. 3.
Xceptional Arma was left working hard in the breeze before battling on into fourth place, six lengths behind the winner, who rated 1.57.8, with final quarters of 29sec. and 28.4sec.
Water Lou is by the American sire Sweet Lou and is the eighth foal out of the South Australian-bred mare Living Hei, who was retired after her only start which resulted in a last placing in a C0 event at Bendigo in March 2007.
Before Water Lou, the best of Living Hei’s progeny was the chestnut Erskine Range, who was a prolific winner for trainer-reinsman Colin Brown and was retired with a record of 95 starts for 25 wins, 18 placings and stakes of $255,480.
Prominent owner Jim Giumelli bought Water Lou for $65,000 at the 2022 APG Perth yearling sale, and the filly now has earned $156,165. “It was a good tactic to get to the front tonight, leaving the others with the task of keeping up with her,” said a delighted Giumelli.
Water Lou gave a similar performance to win the $100,000 listed classic event, the Sales Classic for fillies early in March this year, when she began speedily from the outside barrier before setting the pace and winning easily from Xceptional Arma.