Joe Pride is the first to admit Terravista didn’t perform to expectation in the TJ Smith Stakes.
Sent out favourite, Terravista wasn’t disgraced in finishing third, but he also wasn’t the horse that claimed the Darley Classic in the spring.
Terravista
A wide run from an outside draw and a three-week break between races might have contributed to his lack of zip over the final 100m, but Pride is loathe to reach for excuses.
“I don’t want to make too many excuses for him because I thought he was a bit disappointing,” Pride said.
“But you can find them if you look hard enough.”
Pride is happier to look ahead and towards Terravista’s next target, Saturday’s Group One All Aged Stakes at Randwick.
The five-year-old has lost some lustre with punters and is a $5 second pick behind Chautauqua who has been hailed as Australian racing’s latest sprint star after winning the TJ Smith from a seemingly impossible position.
It will be the third time this preparation the pair has clashed and so far Chautauqua has had the wood on Terravista.
But the snake in the grass is a distance rise to 1400m.
Both Terravista and Chautauqua have won at the trip but it was early in their respective careers in much lesser grade.
In running Terravista in the All Aged, Pride is scratching an itch.
“I always wanted to give it a go at the end of this prep, that was always the plan and nothing has changed my mind,” he said.
“I just want to see if he is as effective as he is at 1200.
“There are plenty of sprinters who don’t quite see the 1400 out so it will be interesting to line them both up.”
Tactics could also be crucial.
Chautauqua is a get-back sprinter with an exceptional turn of foot.
Terravista has also developed a pattern of settling off the speed, although a cosy barrier draw on Saturday coupled with the longer trip presents a chance to ride the horse closer in the run.
“I wouldn’t be too bold on him but I think we can be in the first half of the field,” Pride said.
“Having a bit of a head start (on Chautauqua) could play a vital role.”
Pride will also run Newcastle Newmarket winner Laser Hawk who has recovered from a foot issue that forced him to miss the Doncaster Mile.
