Prolific speedster Time To Talk will be striving to continue her brilliant return to racing in Sunday afternoon’s heats of the GCV Straight Track Championship (350m) as Healesville’s Racing Festival continues.
Trainer Angela Galea has guided Time To Talk to an imposing 26 from 49 strike rate; however her career was put on hold in March when she was injured when leading in the early stages of the Horsham Cup.
After four months on the sidelines she’s taken up where she left off, winning twice over 300m at Healesville in preparation for her second tilt at the Straight Track Championship.
“She got in so much trouble in the Horsham Cup and unfortunately hurt herself,” said Galea.
“We decided to give her a bit of a break and she’s come back really well so far.
“We like taking our dogs to Healesville so they know their way around there. It’s really good when they’re coming back from a break because it’s a very safe track.
“We started Time To Talk up the straight when she came back and this race came up at the right time for her. The Healesville Cup is just around the corner too, so all going well she can qualify for the Straight Track Final and then we might progress towards that.”
Time To Talk also tackled the Straight Track Championship last year, finishing third to freakish course specialist Peter Galo in the final.
Time To Talk was then a reserve for the inaugural National Straight Track Championship, hosted by Healesville, which was this year scheduled to be staged at Capalaba in Queensland before being cancelled due to COVID – 19.
Not surprisingly, considering her enviable overall stats, Time To Talk has an excellent record at Healesville, winning 4 from 5 over 300m and 3 from 9, with 5 minors, over 350m, although Galea concedes box eight isn’t ideal.
“She’s right to go but unfortunately she’s drawn box eight,” Galea offered ruefully.
“I’d rather see her drawn near the inside or the middle but hopefully she can cross them and get over to the rail.
“She was able to win from box six at her last start and she’s broken 19 seconds there before so she can match it with them.
“She’s so versatile. She’s a good straight dog and a good circle dog – she’s just a good dog – and we’ve really been blessed to have dogs like her and (older full sister) It’s All Talk.”
The Galeas have struck gold with their Magic Sprite – Fainting Fancies repeat matings, with the first litter headlined by Group finalist It’s All Talk, which won 32 of her 55 starts.
