Talkanco up for Karrakatta Plate battle

Yes Queen and Talkanco will renew hostilities for a third occasion when they clash in Saturday’s Group 2 Lawn Pride Australia-Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot

In the space of a couple of months, the classy juveniles have built up a fierce rivalry and small margins have split the pair in their three encounters.

There’s very little that also separates Yes Queen and Talkanco in Karrakatta Plate betting, they sit one-two with Tabtouch and will exit the starting gates side by side.

Yes Queen, a member of Dion Luciani’s stable, struck the first blow last November, defeating Talkanco by 1 ½ lengths when making her debut in the Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m).

Talkanco, prepared by brothers Dan and Ben Pearce, squared the ledger at their most clash when holding out Yes Queen by a half-head in the Gimcrack Stakes (1100m).

In their middle meeting last month, Yes Queen and Talkanco finished second and third respectively behind Luana Miss in the Supremacy Stakes (1100m).

The Pearce brothers are thrilled to be in genuine contention for a second Karrakatta Plate victory after Dig Deep was too good for his rivals six years ago. 

Talkanco has been a worthy Karrakatta Plate contender this season, earning a cheque every time he's gone around with two wins and two placings from four outings.

Dan Pearce said Talkanco had come through the Gimcrack Stakes in great fettle after a stirring battle with Yes Queen over the concluding stages.

Talkanco finished powerfully down the centre of the track and ran through the line strongly to hold out, Yes Queen, who was coming hard late.

“She came through the run really well,” Dan Pearce said.

“I am wondering if Yes Queen came that hard it might have caught her a bit by surprise.

“I think our filly went with her late and through the line and past the line.

“It will be interesting to see if they come with their runs together.

“I couldn’t be happier with our girl and she’s where she needs to be fitness wise.

“I wouldn’t be swapping her and hopefully she can peak on grand final day.”

Talkanco will be joined in the Karrakatta Plate by stable mate, Perfectly Proper, giving the Pearce stable a potent double chance.

Perfectly Proper’s hopes were dulled after drawing off the track, but Pearce (Dan) says she can’t be overlooked entirely.

The Pierata filly was desperately unlucky not to crack maiden status last start in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) in February.

She came with a flourish to run a narrow second to Do I Feel Lucky but could easily have revered the result if she had a clear run passing the 200m. 

Despite starting from the widest gate, Pearce (Dan) expects her to be a competitive force.

“She was a bit unlucky, the gap just tightened as she was about to come through,” Pearce said.

“She had a little set back, so comes here first up, but went fresh into the Magic Millions and obviously went enormous there.

“Barrier really hurts, but if she can be finishing off like the Magic Millions she will play a part.”

Perfectly Proper comes out of barrier 16 and will be ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter.

Talkanco has barrier five for Brad Parnham. Yes Queen, with William Pike in the saddle, jumps from gate six.

Yes Queen holds $2.30 favouritism while Talkanco is at $3.70.

Perfectly Proper is currently rated $26.

Julio Santarelli