One of WA’s most anticipated juvenile rivalries will be reignited on Saturday when Yes Queen and Talkanco face off for a third time in the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot.
The talented two-year-olds have traded victories in recent months and are once again closely matched in betting, with little separating them ahead of their latest meeting. They will jump side by side from barriers six and five respectively.
Yes Queen, from Dion Luciani’s yard, opened her career with a 1½ length victory over Talkanco in the Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m) in November.
Talkanco, trained by Dan and Ben Pearce, turned the tables in the Gimcrack Stakes (1100m), narrowly holding off Yes Queen in a thrilling finish.
The pair also clashed in the Supremacy Stakes (1100m) last month, finishing second and third behind Luana Miss.
Dan Pearce is confident Talkanco can produce her best on grand final day, noting she’s been a model of consistency with two wins and two placings from four starts.
“She came through the run really well,” Pearce said.
“I am wondering if Yes Queen came that hard it might have caught her a bit by surprise. I think our filly went with her late and through the line and past the line.
“It will be interesting to see if they come with their runs together. I couldn’t be happier with our girl and she’s where she needs to be fitness wise. I wouldn’t be swapping her and hopefully she can peak on grand final day.”
The Pearce stable also saddles up Perfectly Proper, who resumes after a narrow defeat in February’s Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m).
Despite drawing wide in barrier 16, Pearce believes she has the ability to play a role.
“She was a bit unlucky, the gap just tightened as she was about to come through,” he said. “She had a little set back, so comes here first up, but went fresh into the Magic Millions and obviously went enormous there.
“Barrier really hurts, but if she can be finishing off like the Magic Millions she will play a part.”
Perfectly Proper will be ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter, while Brad Parnham takes the reins on Talkanco. Yes Queen has William Pike aboard and currently leads the market at $2.30, ahead of Talkanco at $3.70 and Perfectly Proper at $26.
