Top-class 4yo mare Talkanco returned to black-type company with a bang on Saturday winning the G3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) with a performance that proved she will be a force to be reckoned with at The Pinnacles.
Racing first-up since a best forgotten trip to Adelaide for the G1 Goodwood Hcp (1200m) in May, the Pearce Racing sprinter appreciated the quick sectionals set by Dawn Dancer (Headwater) to break a run of outs going back to the Max Simmonds Stakes (1000m) twelve months ago.
Talkanco (4m I’m All The Talk – Calianco by California Dane) rocketed home for Brad Parnham to hit the front and then hold off Immortal Bliss (I Am Immortal) by three-quarters of a length.
“She’s furnished into a brute of a mare and wasn’t screwed down today,” co-trainer Ben Pearce said. “If she continues to improve, we will obviously be looking towards the Winterbottom.”
Talkanco wins the Prince Of Wales Stakes / Photo: Western Racepix
Talkanco races for a syndicate managed by part-owner and breeder Ian Riley and the latest Ascot victory improved her bank to $1.28 million including Westspeed Bonuses of $104,500.
The G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) carries prizemoney of $1.50 million and will be a Pinnacles highlight at Ascot on November 28.
Talkanco won the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot in April 2025 but came back for a 3yo campaign frustrated by a run of near misses following the Max Simmonds Stakes.
She was runner-up in the LR Burgess Queen, G3 Champion Fillies, LR Bunbury Breeders Stakes and LR Pinjarra Classic before finishing a three-quarter length third to seasoned interstate raiders Jigsaw and Rey Magnerio in the $5 million BYD Quokka.
“She’s done nothing wrong throughout her career,” Pearce claimed. “The Quokka was a big run and things didn’t go according to plan in the Goodwood when she was caught on an inferior section of the track.”
Talkanco is from the final book covered by I’m All The Talk (Stratum) at Darling View Thoroughbreds in 2021. Ian Riley bred her from Calianco who had won three sprints at Morphettville for Finniss Equine owner-trainer Wayne Francis.
She was a $52,500 buy at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and has also foaled black-type sprinter Richanco (Rich Enuff) who has earned $240,000 for the Henley Brook owner-breeder and a syndicate that includes his partner Rachelle Huckson.
Their 2yo Marine One – Calianco colt is named Oneco and he finished fourth in a Belmont trial in September. The mare has a yearling filly by Rich Enuff and foaled a Capitalist filly on October 8.
