Trainer Gary Portelli thinks that the only way that I’m All The Talk can win the Group 1 $400,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield today is if the speedy four year old can dictate the pace.
I’m All The Talk is set to dictate the pace in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
I’m All The Talk is a noted front runner and Portelli won’t be changing those tactics when he legs up apprentice Winona Costin.
“There are two leaders and I’m not sure if Lord Of The Sky can beat him for speed early,” Portelli told AAP.
“If we can lead him, then we will be controlling the race and hopefully he has a kick at the end.
“He can’t be held up. He just has to run.”
The Robbie Laing trainer Lord Of The Sky is also a noted front runner and it will be an interesting battle in the early stages with the two speedsters drawn beside each other in barriers seven (Lord Of The Sky) and eight (I’m All The Talk).
I’m All The Talk has only won twice from twelve starts but did run second to Group 1 winner Terravista in the Group 2 $200,000 Bowermans Office Furniture Shorts (1100m) at Randwick during the 2014 Sydney Spring Carnival.
The Stratum four year old has only had one taste of Group 1 racing and that was as a two year old when tenth to Overreach in the 2013 Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill.
I’m All The Talk has pleased Portelli in his lead up work heading towards the Oakleigh Plate and said that the chestnut is flying on the tracks as was indicated with his two slashing recent barrier trial wins at Warwick Farm.
“He is absolutely flying and he just runs time without even trying,” Portelli said.
Even with those two trial wins bookmakers at Ladbrokes.com.au have still marked him as a $21 chance in the Oakleigh Plate.
In an open betting race the John Sadler trained Vain Queen heads the market order at $6 ahead of last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake at $7 and Sydney mare Atmospherical at $7.50.
The Peter Moody trained A Time For Julia has been heavily supported and has firmed in from $17 to $8.50 and is clearly the best market mover for the race.
Lord Of The Sky and Shamal Wind share the next line of betting at $10 just ahead of Nostradamus at $11.
Topweight Bel Sprinter has plenty of work to do from the outside gate with 58kg and is currently at the healthy odds of $16.
