Tim Walker | Photo: PACEPIX
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.”