O'Dea and Hoysted firing on all cylinders

By Glenn Davis

The training partnership of Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted will be out to continue its amazing strike rate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The duo will have three starters in two races when It’s All Talk tackles the QTIS Three-Year-Old over 1400 metres while Tumbler Ridge and Wonderful Riri clash in the Benchmark 85 Handicap over 1200 metres.

Hoysted was a long-time stable foreman for O’Dea before the pair joined forces in a training partnership a little over a year ago.

It has proven to be an instant success with the pair sitting third on the Brisbane premiership table with 28 wins behind leader Tony Gollan with 47 wins.

The pair has been in scintillating form with eight wins from its past 10 starters, and 17 wins from their last 50.

Hoysted has given punters a strong pointer, naming Wonderful Riri as the stable’s best chance.

Wonderful Riri is resuming after finishing fifth to Exhilarates in the Listed Coughlan Stakes at Eagle Farm in May.

“She originally came from Victoria and was bought for only $20,000 at the Inglis digital sale,” Hotsted said.

“She’s been a wonderful buy for her owners and she’s a smart mare going forward and will be aimed at some of the better mares races during the summer.

“Tumbler Ridge is going well and has a better record at Eagle Farm but he may find this a shade short while Wonderful Riri is the sharper of the two.”

Tumbler Ridge has started nine times at Eagle Farm for two wins and four placings and is having his first start since a flat run in the Group 3 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast on July.

Hoysted expects It’s All Talk to be more competitive than her last start fifth to Rhapsody Rose at Eagle Farm three weeks ago.

“She won well at Doomben two runs back but she got too far back last run and was still solid to the line,” he said.

“We had to scratch her last week after a minor setback and she’ll improve the further she goes.

“Her next run will be over 1600 metres then hopefully we can start to look at the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival next year with her.

“She’s a nice each-way chance tomorrow.”