Joe Pride is happy with Terravista’s weight in the Newmarket Handicap but not so happy with that of Lankan Rupee.
The two are equally ranked as the world’s top sprinters with the Pride-trained Terravista to carry 56.5kg, just 2kg less than last year’s winner.
Terravista earned his ranking with his sole Group One victory in the Darley Classic when he beat Chautauqua and Lankan Rupee who carried 56.5kg in last year’s Newmarket.
Lankan Rupee kicked off his latest campaign with a dominant win in the Lightning Stakes.
“Terravista has won one Group One race so that means four Group Ones is only worth two kilos,” Pride said.
“The handicapper has taken no notice of Lankan Rupee’s Lightning Stakes win.
“I have discussed it with him. If I want to run Terravista in the Newmarket again next year and he wins the races I hope he does in between then I think he will get more than 58-1/2.
“For the future it means he can’t run in handicaps.
“And I feel sorry for Chautauqua who hasn’t won a Group One race and is just a kilo below us.”
The international ratings panel placed Chautauqua one point below the top pair based on they way they ranked the Darley Classic.
Lankan Rupee earned his 123 rating for his 2014 Newmarket win under 56.5kg.
Terravista will also have to defy almost 100 years of history to win the Newmarket at his first start since the spring. The last horse to win first-up from a spell was Polycrates in 1917.
“That would be something,” Pride said.
“The plan all along has been to go to the Newmarket for his first autumn run and his preparation so far has been like the rest.
“If he makes the improvement I expect from the spring then it’s going to be a great race.