On the face of it, the Supremacy Stakes (1000m) looks a one act affair.
Tabtouch have Yes Queen the raging $1.65 favourite.
She’s been the talk of the town since scoring a brilliant win on debut in the Crystal Slipper Stakes (1000m) last November-her only start to date.
Two electrifying trials in readiness for her return has done little to hose down the hype.
She goes into the Supremacy Stakes winning her warm up trial by nearly seven lengths.
Next in betting is Luana Miss at $4.80 with Talkanco $6.50.
Talkanco was the spruik two-year-old after her barnstorming win in November, charging home from the tail of the field with big strides when let loose for her first race outing.
Her bubble burst next start in the Crystal Slipper Stakes when she played second fiddle to Yes Queen, although she chased hard and cut down the losing margin to 1 ½ lengths.
Co-trainer Ben Pearce isn’t sure how Talkanco will fare in the Supremacy Stakes or if she can turn the tables on Yes Queen, but he’s confident she’ll have bigger fish to fry later, with the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate her driving ambition.
“You would like to beat her, but you don’t have to,” Pearce told Racing WA.
“It’s only the first up run for a Karrakatta Plate prep.
“It's pretty obvious she’s (Yes Queen) fast and sharp, but we think our horse is a nice filly and she’s returned well.”
Adding weight to Pearce’s claim that she’s in fine fettle is jockey Chris Parnham.
The leading hoop gave his tick of approval after going around in a trial.
Talkanco found the line strongly for second and Parnham was rapt.
“Chris said the trial was as good as you could have hoped for,” Pearce said.
“He was really happy with the trial.”
With the scratching of Heaven Specified,10 horses will contest the Supremacy Stakes with Talkanco drawing gate nine.
Pearce says when the gates fly open, Talkanco will go back while Yes Queen will press forward.
“The draw probably doesn’t matter,” Pearce said.
“She’ll be in the back half anyway and we’ll look to rattle home late.
“She’s (Yes Queen) going to jump and run, like she did in the trial.
“It all depends on what sort of pressure it gets in front, but we’ll be working home.”
In Tabtouch futures markets Yes Queen is the $3.30 Karrakatta Plate favourite.
Talkanco, bred and part-owned by Woodbridge Thoroughbreds, is $14
Pearce and his brother Dan co-trained Dig Deep to win the 2019 Karrakatta Plate.
The Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) is the grand final race for the babies and is staged at Ascot on April 26.
Julio Santarelli