Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
WA-bred five-year-old Talks Up A Storm caused an upset when he began brilliantly for Kyle Harper from out wide at barrier eight, set a brisk pace and scored an easy win in the 2130m The Trots WA Owners Appreciation Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Talks Up A Storm, unplaced at his three previous starts after resuming from a winter spell, was a $69.30 outsider who carried too many guns for the $1.70 favourite Chal Patch and the $2.90 second fancy Valentines Brook.
Chal Patch, who raced three wide for the first 250m and then raced without cover, fought on gamely to finish second, a length behind the winner, with Valentines Brook finishing solidly from sixth at the bell to be a well-beaten third.
After a lead time of 37.1sec. and opening quarters of 30.8sec. and 29.8sec. Talks Up A Storm peeled off two final quarters of 27.7sec. and rated 1.55.7.
“I must admit that going forward tonight was Plan D,” said trainer Murray Lindau. “There was a lot of speed inside of us and I suggested to Kyle that we should go back and drive him for luck.
“I said to Kyle that his work during the week was sensational, and if the horse was ready on the gate, he could consider making a bid to dash to the front. I’ll leave it up to you.”
Talks Up A Storm sped straight to the front, leaving Chal Patch working in the breeze and Valentines Brook racing in sixth position in the one-wide line. Both pacers finished solidly without seriously challenging Talks Up A Storm, who boasts a fine record of 58 starts for 14 wins, 14 placings and stakes of $227,682.
Talks Up A Storm is by American sire Artspeak and is the first foal out of the New Zealand-bred mare Typhoon Tan, who earned $141,722 from 14 wins and 24 placings from 74 starts. She won three metro-class races at Gloucester Park from her final four starts in August and September 2016.
“He has done a massive job for me, and it has been a pleasure to train him,” said Lindau. “We’ve had our hiccups, health wise, along the way, but in general he has done a tremendous job.”