Talkanco up for 2025 Karrakatta Plate battle

Juvenile stars Yes Queen and Talkanco are set to battle it out for a third time when they line up in Saturday’s Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot, with their rivalry quickly becoming one of the season’s most compelling storylines.

After splitting their previous two contests, Yes Queen and Talkanco are poised for another tight finish, with both drawing ideally in gates six and five respectively.

Yes Queen got the upper hand in the Crystal Slipper Stakes, before Talkanco reversed the result in the Gimcrack Stakes. In between, they both ran into Luana Miss in the Supremacy Stakes.

Dan Pearce says Talkanco is right on track and ready to peak.

“She came through the run really well,” Pearce said. “I think our filly went with her late and through the line and past the line. 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.”

Perfectly Proper adds depth to the Pearce stable’s chances, though barrier 16 makes her task tougher. She resumes off a strong second in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic.

“She was a bit unlucky, the gap just tightened as she was about to come through,” Pearce said. “She had a little set back, so comes here first up, but went fresh into the Magic Millions and obviously went enormous there.”

Despite the wide draw, Pearce believes she can finish strongly if the tempo is right.

Yes Queen is the market leader at $2.30 with William Pike engaged, while Talkanco sits at $3.70 under Brad Parnham. Clint Johnston-Porter rides $26 outsider Perfectly Proper.