Gary Portelli's attempts to find the right race for I'm All The Talk might again be frustrated by a rival frontrunner.

The speedy four-year-old races best when he can control the tempo, something he was able to do in the Group One Oakleigh Plate first-up when he finished a respectable sixth to Shamal Wind.

But he was unable to replicate that performance in Sydney last start when he was taken on for the lead and finished down the track.

Portelli fears I'm All The Talk could face a similar dilemma in the Gold Rush at Hawkesbury on Saturday when noted speedster Zaratone will be among his rivals.

"He went around in the Oakleigh Plate and was beaten two-and-a-hallf lengths then went terrible second-up when Kencella took him on," Portelli said.

"He's been freshened up since then and he's been set for this.

"He trialled well during the week but that grey horse (Zaratone) is in the race on Saturday."

Apprentice Winona Costin will ride I'm All The Talk in the $125,000 sprint which has attracted nine runners including the Joe Pride-trained pair of Craftiness and Diamond Oasis.

Portelli was in the winners' circle at Canterbury on Wednesday with lightly raced three-year-old Once Again who will be set for the Queensland Derby.