Saturday’s Grade 3 novice over 2m7f at Gowran Park is a small-field stamina test on heavy ground. With only five runners, it shapes up as a straightforward, no-nonsense staying slog where endurance and grit will decide the outcome.
Walks The Talk is the one to beat. The mare is battle-hardened, Listed-placed, and consistent over 2m4–2m5f. She likes to make or press the running and has proven she can see out a race under pressure. The only unknown is how she handles heavy, but she’s the type to grind it out.
Bally Free tops the ratings and won a maiden over 24f on soft ground. Class is obvious, but stepping up to Grade 3 and this distance on heavy is a test he hasn’t faced. He’s the obvious danger, but may find this a step too far at the price.
Timesareachanging is an improving type who made all over 22f on soft-heavy last time. She stays well and is simple to ride, making her a live each-way candidate.
The other two, Lord Rouge and Changeyourstars, have winning form over shorter or lighter-ground trips but are unlikely to trouble the main contenders unless the race becomes extremely testing.
Verdict: Walks The Talk to take this if she handles the conditions. Bally Free is the danger, with Timesareachanging as the each-way outsider. This is a race where stamina, resolve, and experience in a grind will count far more than raw rating.
No fluff, no overthinking – it’s heavy, it’s long, and the one proven to stay under pressure wins.