Speedy Talented Tony K set for comfortable win

TALENTED TONY K hasn't raced in 14 weeks but returns two classes lower than his last outing, December's Diamond Mile, to face overnight allowance horses in this afternoon's ninth event.

Never mind the lay-up, trainer Patrick Lynch brought TALENTED TONY K off exactly the same rest in November, to carry grade one horses into the lane in the Caribbean Sprint, and was only three and a half lengths off the lead a furlong out, before weakening out of contention with 57.0 kilos.

One of the toughest trainers to decipher at the Park, Lynch has shown his hand with TALENTED TONY K, who qualifies for the drop in class via a get-out-of-jail card, which allows top-class horses to lower their sights, after not winning within eight months of graduating to open allowance or grade one.

Shane Ellis, Lynch's choice of rider, was also well thought out. Instead of opting for a claiming apprentice to slip weight off 57.0 kilos, he has chosen experience to regulate out-of-class TALENTED TONY K's speed.

Still one of the fastest horses in training at Caymanas Park at seven years old, TALENTED TONY K, equaled the 1000-metre straight track record of 56.1 as a four-year-old - a year after landing the 10-furlong Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup.

Sparingly raced by wily Lynch, who nursed him back to top shape over the last two years, TALENTED TONY K is hardly ever led in a race, even in grade one. In December, he carried the Diamond Mile field to the half-mile.

The horse closest in speed to TALENTED TONY K is SIMPLY THE BEST. However, she will also be close to him in the handicaps, considering Dane Nelson rode as heavy as 54.5 kilos a week and a half ago, suggesting he could go heavier than the declared 53.5 kilos.

Ellis was aboard TALENTED TONY K for his last victory, beating POKER STAR and KING D at 1000 metres straight last June, 10 days after going all the way against CAMPESINO and CHACE THE GREAT in the grade one Lotto Sprint at 1100 metres.

ARMAGEDDON and CARTEL are decent horses but their only chance is if the speed collapses, which is hardly likely to happen at the minimum distance, considering TALENTED TONY K's back class.