Evans Expecting Big Things From Dave Brett Winner

BRILLIANT Dave Brett Memorial winner Werina Express will be given a few weeks off by breeder-owner-trainer Noel Evans in a bid to help him improve even further.

The son of Fernando Bale and high class broodbitch Slip Sliding ran 30.22 to win the Dave Brett Memorial at Albion Park by a length and a half as the raging hot $1.65 favourite. 

He downed Marseille and Fernando Beach to remain unbeaten after winning his heat and final of the series.

There is method in Evans' plan.

“From day one he showed us some exciting times,” said Evans. “So, even though he was just 18 months, we pressed on to the Dave Brett with him.

“But the rest of his litter all got the virus sweeping the country. We gave them a month off and since they have come back, they have improved out of sight.

“Obviously, I'm hoping the same will happen with Werina Express.”

The youngster is from Slip Sliding's second litter, the first by Keybow included Embye (16 wins, $52,000), What Key (12 wins, $31,000) and Queen Werina (5 wins, $29,000).

Slip Sliding (Bekim Bale-Eye The Tiger) is a litter sister to record breaking Shot To Bits and a half sister to Ipswich Auction winner Fyre Out.

“She was going to be a nice stayer but badly tore a hip support,” said Noel.

“We did a repeat mating to Keybow but unfortunately she had only one pup. We've just got the OK to breed with her again and we will repeat the Fernando Bale mating.”

Evans said Werina Express had shown great potential right from his first trials.

“We put him over 288 metres at Ipswich for his first run out of the boxes and he went 17.02, then he went 19.02 for 331 metres at Albion Park and had never seen the track,” he said.

“He was just 16 months old. That's why we pressed on to the Dave Brett with him.”

Queen Werina, a 24.77 Ipswich and 29.95 Albion Park winner for the Evans kennel, has just been mated to US superstar Jiminy Reno.