WA filly chases historic Goodwood upset

A feather weight, a low draw and elite formlines behind the country’s hottest sprinter have bolstered the confidence of Daniel Pearce as his star filly Talkanco bids for an historic G1 Goodwood win at Morphettville on Saturday.

The last-start Quokka placegetter flew to Melbourne on Monday night and will travel by road to Adelaide on Thursday as she attempts to become the first WA-trained horse since Let Go Thommo in 2007 to win SA’s premier sprint.

Pearce, who trains Talkanco in partnership with his brother Ben, said she has thrived since her run behind Jigsaw at Ascot last month and the prospect of running in a $1 million G1 with 51.5kg was too hard to ignore.

Lucy Fiore will ride the filly on Saturday.

“She pulled up fantastic and, other than targeting a Perth Carnival which is still a way off, there wasn’t a lot around for her so we thought it was a good opportunity to come over (to Adelaide),” Pearce said.

“When we found out when she was getting 51.5kg, it was definitely part of the decision to come over.”

The Pearce brothers’ partnership has twice come close to Group 1 glory and he has faith that Talkanco can go one better than former stable pin-up Vital Silver.

The daughter of Maschino has been one of the the best of her generation in Perth during both her two-year-old and three-year-old seasons, winning the G2 Karrakatta Plate as a juvenile before narrow placings in the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes, Listed WA Breeders Stakes and Listed Pinjarra Classic this season.

She beat all but Jigsaw and Rey Magnerio in the $5 million Quokka last start, convincing Pearce that she is well and truly capable of making the leap to weight-for-age racing.

“It’s (G1 win) been a goal for us since we made the partnership,” he said.

“We’ve run second in two Group 1 races – Vital Silver ran second in the Manikato and the Winterbottom.

“I’d love to think this filly has what it takes (to win a G1).

“She was our champion two-year-old over here and she had a fantastic preparation that ended with her winning the Karakkatta Plate,” he said.

“She has a solid three-year-old preparation as well and she was a bit stiff a couple of times in nice races.

“We were thrilled with how she went in the Quokka.

“That was her first test against solid Group 1 horses and she put her hand up to show what she’s made of.”

Talkanco is $10 in Bet365’s Goodwood market, which is headed by Bryce Heys’ mare Flying For Fun and top weight Rey Magnerio, both at $4.50.