Cream rises to the top in 3YO Westbred Finals

Wonder filly Water Lou (Sweet Lou) continued her outstanding harness racing record with another effortless win in the $100,000 Allwood Stud Westbred Three Year old fillies final at Gloucester Park. Given time to balance early from barrier 4, driver Shannon Suvaljko allowed Water Lou to stride past early leader Copy Cat Queen who was then content to take the trail.

From then onwards the race was a procession and although World Secret and Lion Queen made runs along the back straight, Water Lou was allowed to stride out to comfortably hold off a determined Copy Cat Queen with Lion Queen holding on for third. Atlantic Gem who finished just behind the placegetters didn’t have a great deal of luck in the home straight.

In just 26 starts, Water Lou has carried all before her with 21 wins and has shown herself to be the dominant filly in Western Australia. What makes her recent performances all the more remarkable is her recent escapade just over two months when she suffered atrial fibrillation and it is a tribute to her connections that she could return back with a vengeance.

“She was a bit fresh tonight and got on the chewy at the bell when they all come, especially after running the lead time she did and still running sections in 28 along the way,” said winning reinsman, Shannon Suvaljko.

“She went to the line strong so it’s looking good for the future,” he said.

“I wasn’t expecting the lead, I just come out on the bit. She could have come out and probably crossed them off the gate but I didn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket so I let her slide out herself and she naturally just shows speed. Once Aidan handed up, it was a leisure after that.”

When asked post race whether he felt the filly might be travelling interstate in the near future, he was quick to indicate that the talented daughter of Sweet Lou would likely stay out West.

“There are some good races here like the Oaks and Derby and have them spot on for them,” he said.

Raced by the Swandoo Harness Racing Syndicate, Water Lou is prepared by Mike Reed. A striking bay filly with a white face, she is out of Living Hei (Live or Die).

WATER LOU REPLAY

At this stage Water Lou looks to have the upcoming $150,000 WA Oaks on 4 October at her mercy and would also be a strong prospect in the $200,000 WA Derby run a month later on 1 November.

In the male division of the Westbred Finals, Crack gelding Bet The House (Betting Line) showed his class when he outstayed odds on favourite Waverider to take out the $100,000 Allwood Stud Westbred Three Year old colts and geldings final at Gloucester Park.

The bay gelding had put the writing on the wall when he won his Heat earlier in the week at Pinjarra clocking an impressive 1.57.1.

BET THE HOUSE REPLAY

Despite being second favourite most punters opted for Waverider who drew the coveted 2 draw and was expected to lead all the way. It certainly looked that way when driver Kyle Symington had little trouble taking the lead and dictating his own pace in front.

By contrast Bet The House was caught wide early before driver Chris Voak was able to obtain a one out and one back seat. But he was then forced to go three wide from the bell to stride up alongside Waverider who looked to be cruising. Waverider moved away towards the home bend but Bet the House despite having a harder run refused to give up and ended up winning by half a neck. Both Rox The World and Ideal Muscle stormed down the outside to take out third and fourth placings.

“I was happy to sit on the back of Atlas The Titan, but I needed Wave Rider to get ahold of the whip,” said the winning reinsman, Chris Voak.

“I just needed to Stuie Mac to hit his horse with the whip and that was enough,” he laughed 

“Obviously ‘junior’ put a spanner in the works with Blaze Away, but once we were able to get to the running line and I knew Wave Rider was feeling the pinch at the 400m and I thought well we are going to have to be brave, and he is. Ron did say I think I’ve got him pretty cherry.

“This horse had a number of stomach issues which is why he never raced much as a two-year-old. They have done a wonderful job to get him where he is and it’s a well deserved win to be honest,” he said.

Trained by Ron Huston who part owns the gelding Bet The House has now won 6 of his 12 starts.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink