Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Outstanding youngster Water Lou smashed the race record when she romped to an effortless victory in the $100,000 Allwood Stud Westbred Classic for three-year-old fillies at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The $1.20 favourite was not extended by reinsman Shannon Suvaljko as she coasted to victory by a length from $11 second fancy Copy Cat Queen, rating 1.55.5 over the 2130m to lower the record rate of 1.56 set by the Brilliant Wonderful To Fly two years ago.
From the No. 1 barrier Copy Cat Queen led for the first 300m, while Suvaljko gave Water Lou ample time to settle down before surging past Copy Cat Queen to take up the running.
After a smart lead time of 35.9sec. the opening quarter was run in a slow 31.5sec. before Water Lou sprinted over the final quarters in 28.5sec., 28.4sec. and 28.5sec.
Copy Cat Queen got into the clear 100m from the post and finished determinedly to be second with $19 chance Lion Queen, a stablemate of the winner, fighting on gamely to finish third after settling at the rear and then racing in the breeze in the final circuit.
“Water Lou began from the No. 4 barrier, and Suvaljko said: “I wasn’t expecting to lead. She came out on the bit, and she probably could have crossed to the front. But I didn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket, out of the gate.
“So, I just let her slide out by herself, and she just naturally shows speed. And once, Aiden De Campo, handed up the lead with Copy Cat Queen, it was a leisure after that.
“For Water Lou to run the final three quarters as fast as she did and go to the line as strongly as she did, after the fast lead time, was a good sign for the future.”
Trainer Mike Reed said that Water Lou is a laid-back filly who is never likely to win by 30 or 40 metres. “Shannon didn’t pull the plugs, and she still ran a fast time,” he said.
“Water Lou and Lion Queen will now be set for the Daintys Daughter Classic and the WA Oaks.” Water Lou now boasts a marvellous record of 26 starts for 21 wins, two seconds and $420,009, with owner Jim Giumelli declaring: “If you’re putting your horse up against Water Lou you might meet your Waterloo.”