Rising star Terravista could be stepped up to stakes company after passing his latest test with flying colours.
Terravista’s spring preparation has been aimed at getting his rating up so he can compete in the better races in the autumn and he has handled the task with aplomb.
Terravista - Photo by Steve Hart
His three starts this campaign have brought three victories starting with a 1000m benchmark 70, followed by a benchmark 80 over 1200m and Saturday’s benchmark 85 over 1400m at Randwick.
Trainer Joe Pride will now consider a seven-day back-up into the Listed Festival Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.
“I’ll see how is during the week and he could back up in the Festival,” Pride said.
“He’s a very casual horse. He’s very relaxed so I don’t think it would bother him.
“It’s all still new to him but he has some lofty heights in the autumn and it’s all about experience.
“He has come a long way in a short time.”
Punters showed the same faith in Terravista as his trainer, sending him out at $1.55 to beat his more experienced rivals.
Hugh Bowman had him travelling just behind the leader King Cobia ($10) and urged him to the front inside the 200m to go on to win by three-quarters of a length.
Pride said the win was highlighted by the fact he thought Terravista would be better suited by a faster pace.
“He is so good off a hot pace,” he said.
“I’m not sure if it was the way to ride him. I’m not saying Hugh did anything wrong. He rode as the race panned out but I think this horse is better off a hot pace.”
Pride is trying to keep a lid on his expectations for Terravista, the winner of four of his five starts, but has hinted the Doncaster Mile is in his thoughts.
Terravista is part of an emerging dynasty for his dam Parfore and Pride, who has trained four of her progeny including Ball Of Muscle, a debut second in a 900m maiden at Newcastle on Saturday.
Terravista’s race was the fifth of the day which began amid uncertainty with lightning and thunderstorms threatening the meeting.
Despite storms and more than 100mm of rain during the week, the StrathAyr Kensington track stood up with an upgrade from dead to good after Terravista’s win.
