Galea’s girl out to prove she ain’t all talk at Healesville
MARTIN Galea is expecting a big performance from track specialist It's All Talk (Magic Sprite x Fainting Fancies Mar '14) when she heads up the straight this Sunday to contest a heat of the Group 3 Healesville Cup (350m).
The black bitch will jump from box two in the sixth of eight heats on Sunday, coming into the race on the back of a two week freshen-up.
Galea said It's All Talk is at 100 per cent heading into the race where she will be looking to win her 17th race over the 350m trip at Healesville.
“She is feeling enormous – she is as good as gold,” Galea told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“I have kept her fresh for the past seven or eight days – she is a mad railer so coming into a race like this I wanted her to come out running and have the speed to get across if she drew box eight.
“Luckily she has drawn box two so I am hoping she doesn't have to work too hard early.”
It's All Talk will face a talented field on Sunday including Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner Ando's Mac (El Grand Senor x Brook's Doll Jun '14) which will be having his first start in a month when he exits box seven.
Despite coming up against some talented greyhounds, Galea is confident his bitch has the capability of winning and securing herself a spot in next week's $25,000 to the winner final.
“She is very consistent and she has it all – she is a good beginner and she seems to be able to produce week after week,” he said.
“I expect her to run well this week – she has got the right box and she is looking and feeling fantastic.”
A winner of 27 from 44 with eight minor placings, a win in the series would be a career highlight for Galea who bred and owns It's All Talk with his daughter Angela.
“We have never won a big race – I hope she can,” Galea said.
“Even from eight months old we always thought she was going to be special – there was always something about her and she broke in very well.
“I have never had a greyhound like her before – she is very good.”
Eight heats of the Healesville Cup will be run on Sunday, with some sensational greyhounds lining up for the series including Aston Dee Bee (Barcia Bale x Aston Elle Apr '15), Kouta Mayhem (Fabregas x Belle's Melody Mar '15), Zinzan Brooke (Knocka Norris x All Fired Up Jan '14), Judicial Man (Knocka Norris x All Fired Up Jan '14), Burn Like Fire (El Grand Senor x Father Of Mine Jan '15), Lucky Chap (Brett Lee x Cawbourne Whip Mar '15) and Jacqui Blax (Cape Hawke x Rustic Reeta Jun '14).
The winner of each heat will progress through to the final, with the first heat set to jump at 11.37am.