News

Two-year-olds make presence felt as countdown to Golden Slipper begins

2nd Dec 2012

Daily Telegraph - Ray Thomas - Sunday, 2 December 2012

The trainer of the winner, All The Talk, believes his colt is a Golden Slipper horse. The trainer of the runner-up, Napayshini, believes his colt will win the Golden Slipper.

This was the tale of an exciting Warwick Farm Plate (1000m) yesterday where All The Talk led throughout to score narrowly from the fast-finishing Napayshini.

In very warm, humid conditions, the two-year-old scamper proved an enthralling contest and if the trainers of the first two placegetters are right, this will prove an excellent form race.

Gary Portelli, a renowned trainer of two-year-olds, has always had a big opinion of All The Talk, a $40,000 yearling at the Sydney Classic Sales earlier this year.

"He's a very smart two-year-old and I think we will send him to the paddock now to get ready for autumn," Portelli said.

"I think he is a (Golden) Slipper horse so I'm not keen to keep him up for the Inglis Classic (January 19).

"You can't run them in both, he'll need a break before the Golden Slipper."

Trainer Grant Allard was even more succinct when asked his opinion of Napayshini.

"(He'll) win the (Golden) Slipper," Allard said. "Best horse I've ever trained from day one and flogs the older horses at trackwork."

All The Talk, who eased from $7 to $8, held off Napayshini ($8) by a long-head with favourite Let's Frolic ($2.45) three-quarters of a length away third.

A striking chestnut colt by 2005 Golden Slipper winner Stratum, All The Talk scorched over the Warwick Farm 1000m in 57.21sec, which compares favourably with Raceway's race-record time of 56.85 set last season.

After a sound debut when All The Talk ran third to Charlie Boy and Windjammer at Rosehill two weeks ago, Portelli added a tongue-tie and winkers to the colt's racing gear and the youngster raced more truly, showing none of the greenness of his first start.

"I was happy to see him find the rail because following the fence is a big asset for these young horses," Portelli said.

"He had to work a bit early to cross the field and lead and then he was able to find again late in the race so it was a big effort to do it at both ends."

Top jockey Blake Shinn predicted a bright future for All The Talk.

"We all know Gary is a very good trainer of two-year-olds and this colt definitely has above-average ability," Shinn said.

All The Talk is eligible for the $250,000 Inglis Nursery at Warwick Farm in three weeks but with Portelli likely to spell his colt, there won't be a rematch with Napayshini.

After missing the start by two lengths and being six lengths behind All The Talk on the turn, Napayshini's effort to run the winner to such a close margin was outstanding.

"We will work on his starts and alleviate that issue when we return here for the Nursery," Allard said.

All The Talk (2c Stratum-Weekend Gossip) was a $40,000 purchase by Elite Thoroughbreds from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2012 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale.

Napayshini (2c Ready's Image-Daloot) was a $57,500 purchase by Rapture Farm from the draft of Bendaree Park Stud, also from the 2012 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale.