Some quick thinking from jockey Craig Williams’s manager has swayed Gary Portelli into changing plans for Sydney sprinter I’m All The Talk.
One of 16 entries for the Lightning Handicap at Randwick, I’m All The Talk will miss the Listed race to run for twice the prize money in the Group Two Caulfield Sprint on Saturday.
Portelli said thought he had booked Brenton Avdulla to ride I’m All The Talk at Randwick but he was left without a jockey when Avdulla took the mount on the unbeaten Deep Field.
That’s when Williams’s long-time booking agent Mark Guest sensed an opportunity.
“Basically Craig Williams’s manager rang me once the nominations came out and talked me into going to Melbourne,” Portelli said.
“I’ve always thought he might be a chance in the Oakleigh Plate with a light weight so this will give us a chance to get around Caulfield while he is at his peak fitness.”
But Portelli said an awkward Caulfield Sprint gate could put an end to the Melbourne trip.
“If he draws a really horror barrier or is drawn outside all the speed then we may regroup but that this stage we are going to accept at Caulfield and not at Randwick.”
I’m All The Talk was run down by That’s A Good Idea over 1000m at Randwick last week, his second placing in three starts since resuming last month.
Scone-trained Big Money is also nominated for both races but trainer Rodney Northam says a Caulfield Sprint entry has been lodged as insurance in case Randwick becomes too wet after forecast rain.
“I wouldn’t want to run him on a real heavy track first-up over 1100 (metres) and bottom him out,” Northam said.
Big Money has been off the scene since winning the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton in July but had his fitness tested in a Muswellbrook barrier trial last week.
Weights for the City Tattersall’s Club Cup were released on Tuesday with Opinion, brave in defeat when runner-up in the Metropolitan, given 60kg.
Opinion, stablemate Brigantin, Celtic Prince, La Amistad and Khalid are Randwick entries still in contention for a Melbourne Cup start.