Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Star reinsman Shannon Suvaljko had some anxious moments before guiding brilliant filly Water Lou to an easy victory in the 2130m Sunrise Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The off-side tyre of Water Lou’s sulky was punctured 750m from home, and Suvaljko had to nurse the filly over the final lap, fearing that the flat tyre could peel off and get tangled with the wheel.
“I was worried, and that’s why I had to hold Water Lou together, without letting her go in the last lap,” said Suvaljko.
Water Lou’s tyre was punctured when it was contacted by one of World Secret’s forelegs just after the five runners had passed the winning post with a lap to travel.
Water Lou, the $1.10 favourite, began speedily from the No. 1 barrier before dawdling through the lead time in 40.8sec. and the opening quarters in 32.8sec. (twice) and 30.5sec. before the final 400m was covered in a slick 27.6sec., with the winner under a tight hold.
Water Lou rated an extremely slow 2.4.3 and beat $19 chance Princess Katie by 2m.
Water Lou, purchased by Jim and Wilma Giumelli for $65,000 at the 2022 Perth APG yearling sale, is proving a good buy. She has raced twelve times for nine wins, one second and $187,425 in prizemoney.
“Her main mission now is the $50,000 APG Sales Classic for three-year-old fillies on March 1,” said trainer Mike Reed.
Water Lou has a prominent white blaze and bears a perfect resemblance to her two-year-old stablemate Ruby Lou, who is by Water Lou’s sire Sweet Lou.
“The fillies are not related, but they look exactly the same,” said Reed, who is looking for a strong performance from Ruby Lou when she makes her debut in the opening event at Pinjarra on Monday.