Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Speedy pacer Talks Up A Storm was a topical tip on a wintry evening at Gloucester Park on Friday when the WA-bred five-year-old caused an upset by scoring an easy win in the 2130m Retravision Pace.
The Murray Lindau-trained gelding set a solid pace and coasted to a one and a half length win over $10 chance The Code Breaker, rating 1.56.6 after final 400m sections of 28.1sec. and 28.5sec.
Most punters considered the polemarker Street Hawk was a certainty after his recent excellent form of two wins and four seconds from his six starts this season, and he was a firm $1.50 favourite.
However, Street Hawk was beaten for early pace by Talks Up A Storm, who began speedily from the No. 4 barrier. About 150m after Street Hawk was crossed his driver Deni Roberts eased him off the pegs and into the breeze, obviously hoping to avoid the possibility of being hemmed in on the inside and unable to obtain a clear run in the final lap.
Street Hawk faded in the final stages when The Code Breaker, who had trailed the leader all the way, ran home gamely, and the $3.20 second fancy Tricky Miki fought on from sixth and last at the bell. Street Hawk was a fading fourth.
Talks Up A Storm, who had finished second to Steel the Show at his previous outing, was great value a$13.90 on the tote and at $21 on the fixed market. He has been an excellent moneyspinner who has raced 50 times for 12 wins, 14 placings and stakes of $195,818.