Keys sounds ominous warning to rivals

Trainer Kevin Keys has sounded an ominous warning to Water Lou’s (Sweet Lou) harness racing rivals, indicating there’s nothing to suggest she can’t maintain her unbeaten record at Gloucester Park tomorrow night.

The filly will be out to record her eighth straight win when she lines up in the Amy And Dack Engaged Pace (2130m).

Water Lou showed tremendous gate speed to lead from barrier nine in the $100,000 Diamond Classic, the most recent of her seven wins.

She has drawn the same barrier tomorrow night and has just two of her rivals from the Diamond Classic taking her on again.

Keys said he expected Water Lou could repeat the dose from a fortnight ago.

“I’m very happy with her,” Keys told The Trots WA.

“We knew we would cop that barrier but if we didn’t start her tomorrow night, she would be a month between runs into the Westbred.

“At this stage, I expect we will try and do the same thing from that draw.

“She crossed last time and did that well and came back to Shannon well after he used her off the gate.”

Water Lou’s next major assignment is the $215,000 Westbred Classic (2130m) on September 15.

Keys said he would weigh up whether to pursue a start against the colts and geldings in the $150,000 Golden Slipper (2130m) after the Westbred.

“That’s up in the air at this stage,” he said.

“The last thing we want to do is hurt her.

“There’s some nice colts around this year.”

Keys will also start Hoppys Way and Alcopony start from barrier eight and 10 respectively in the $50,000 Binshaw (2130m).

Talks Up A Storm has drawn barrier one and Keys said he hoped that pacer would hold out race favourite Youre So Fine to give Alcopony a strong winning chance.

“I thought the one could possibly lead, and I would like to see Youre So Fine in the breeze,” he said.

“I was happy with Alcopony last week and it’s a perfect barrier for him, but I have great respect for Youre So Fine.”

Keys said Hoppys Way would be driven quietly from barrier eight.

Youre So Fine is the $1.75 TABtouch favourite for the Binshaw, with Goodfellaz ($6) and Talks Up A Storm ($9) the only other runners in single figures.

For complete race entries, click here

by Tim Walker for RWWA