May 27, 2015

Some of the best turf females in all of HRP assembled for the Grade I Gamely Stakes at SA on Monday afternoon and it was a three-year-old to upset her older rivals when Girl Talk, off a huge score in the Grade II Honeymoon Stakes, jumped up even further to notch her initial top-class score in only her seventh career start. From a low-crop sire and one of only two foals for a deceased mare, she has certainly outrun her pedigree with three Graded Stakes wins to her credit and with a monster 100-speed rating on her form, can look forward to a big career against sophomores as well as the older class, with a spot in the BC F&M Turf all but assured.

Tight Pockets (3.10) got out early to lead the Gamely field in front of the stands for the first time with heavy favourite Fair Quest (*0.50) alongside her with Girl Talk (7.80) holding her position inside but as everyone found their seat, the choice took back to third with the leader a half-length in front. Heading into the first tight turn, Tight Pockets tightened up the reigns on Girl Talk with three-lengths to spare on Fair Quest and a very modest half-mile of 48.12 saw the top two in complete control with the backfield biding their time. With four-furlongs to go, Girl Talk used her inside advantage to seize a brief lead and while You Can Do It (4.95) raced wide, Fair Quest clung to an inside track but found herself almost five-lengths back with a slow pace making things extra tough for her. Past six-furlongs in a rapidly quickening 1:11.09, Tight Pockets clung to the throat latch of Girl Talk as those two sprinted clear of the back three and headlong into the lane, the three-year-old was taking it to her older rival with straight and strong strides. Tight Pockets tried to keep pace and Fair Quest tried to close into the slow fractions but Girl Talk had things her own way in the final furlong and at the wire, the final margin was just over a length with the the former two taking down second and third in a close finish. You Can Do It loomed up late but could quicken when asked and wound up a co-fourth with Tennessee Queen (689.05), who never really got involved after breaking slowly.

All it took was another firm turf course and another inside trip and Girl Talk proved that she can handle older rivals, and Grade I competition, with a resounding score in the Gamely over a pair of rivals who know a thing or two about winning at the highest level. Unfortunately, there really isn’t a comparable race for her at this point with the American Oaks coming to quickly so she might have to wait for the Grade I Just A Game or hold off until the Grade I DMR Oaks over the Summer in California.

Congratulations goes out to owner Nolespan Racing and their three-year-old filly Girl Talk, a powerful winner of the Grade I Gamely Stakes at SA!

Prediction                      Fair Quest / Tight Pockets / Girl Talk

Winner                           Girl Talk

                                          Three-year-old black filly

                                          Danzigs Delight-Sweep The Yummy (Sweep The Dancer)

Owner                             Nolespan Racing

Time                                48.12, 1:11.09, 1:34.21, 1:46.07

Overall

Girl Talk                          7.80 inside pace, smart middle move, clear

Tight Pockets                3.10 tracked winner, could not keep pace late

Fair Quest                       *0.50 dropped back early, late rally

You Can Do It                4.95 no late threat

Tennessee Queen          689.05 lacked momentum

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I