Keys is the key to Water Lou’s success

Trainer Mike Reed says Kevin Keys deserves all the praise if Water Lou (Sweet Lou) is successful in tomorrow (Sep 15) night’s Westbred Classic (2130m) for the two-year-old harness racing fillies at Gloucester Park.

Keys has overseen all of Water Lou’s three runs this campaign, which included a win in the Diamond Classic (2130m) last month.

Reed, who returns to training tomorrow night for the first time since March, said he was looking forward to returning to the caper and paid tribute to Keys’ work in his absence.

“It’s been a long six months for me,” Reed told The Trots WA.

“I’ve never been disqualified in 54 years of training, but I’ve copped it on the chin and moved on.

“Kevin has been huge as a 74-year-old stepping in and taking over.

“Any success we have tomorrow night will be on the back of him.”

Water Lou enters the Westbred Classic following her first defeat a fortnight ago.

Reed, who trained Water Lou to win the Sales Classic (1730m) earlier this year, said he expected the best version of his filly to turn up tomorrow night.

“The horse had a virus last start, so we gave her the Saturday and Sunday off after the run on the Friday night,” he said.

“When we got her bloods done on the Monday, she was just getting over it.

“We worked her last Saturday morning, and it was the best she’s ever worked.”

Despite copping a tricky backline barrier draw earlier this week, Water Lou remains the $3.10 TABtouch favourite for the $215,000 event.

Miss Hepburn, Lenora Jane and Xceptional Arma are considered to be the main dangers to the Sweet Lou filly.

Reed said while the draw wasn’t ideal, he was confident he had the right filly to win his first Westbred Classic.

“The draw has certainly made a race of it,” he said.

“I’d rather have drawn barrier 12 than eight or nine.

“I think I have the best filly in the race, and I know Kevin is happy with her too.

“I’m sure she can take a sit and then sprint home in under 27 seconds at her best.

“They will know she’s coming in the last 400.”

Reed also has Golden Nugget aspirant Hoppy’s Way engaged in the Give Your Mare The Best Shot, Breed To Ultimate Sniper Pace (1730m).

The WA Derby runner-up drew awkwardly in barrier nine and Reed said the four-year-old would most likely be driven quietly.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim Walker for RWWA