As he prepares stable star Terravista for a return to Group One racing, trainer Joe Pride is looking forward to the debut of youngster Our Mantra.
Terravista will travel to Perth at the weekend for a tilt at the Winterbottom Stakes after pleasing Pride since his close second in the Listed Mumm Stakes at Flemington last Thursday.
“Terravista has come through Melbourne well and will be on the plane on Sunday night,” Pride said.
“One of the main reasons we gave him a long time off was to try to get his problem feet right and I’m happy with them.”
Pride is also happy with Our Mantra who will run in the 2YO Plate (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, the earliest the trainer has had a juvenile runner during a season.
“I might have had one or two run before Christmas but not in November,” he said.
“It’s uncharted territory for me.”
Pride is noted for his patience with young horses but Our Mantra has stamped himself as one ready to race.
“I put two-year-olds into two categories,” Pride said.
“Some are naturally precocious and some some have a lot of ability rather than being physically mature.
“He is in the latter category and I’m not going to hurt him by taking him to the races.
“He came from the Magic Millions sale but he won’t be going to the Magic Millions race in January. And I don’t think he’s a Slipper type.
“He ‘s the sort of colt who will probably stretch out to a distance.”
Kentucky Miss, who won her debut in January, is the earliest two-year-old winner Pride has had in a season.
The filly has won three more races including the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington in September.
After another win at Warwick Farm in October, Pride took her back to Melbourne where she ran sixth in the Group Three Crown Resorts Plate last Thursday and she has now gone for a break to prepare for the autumn.
