A tradesman-like win by Terravista at Randwick has boosted the confidence of trainer Joe Pride as he plots a path to the Doncaster Mile for the lightly raced four-year-old.
The Group Three Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) was just the second time Terravista had raced in stakes company.
At the end of his spring campaign he was runner-up to White Sage on the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) and his comeback confirmed the trainer’s opinion and that of punters when he recorded his fifth win from seven starts.
Terravista - Photo by Steve Hart
Sent out the $2.60 favourite, Terravista was in a handy position in fourth coming to the turn then let loose at the 200m to race clear of the pack.
Albrecht ($5) got to a half length without really threatening the winner while My Destiny ($20) was another long head away third.
“He did everything I wanted to see him do,” Pride said.
“I’m hoping to stretch him out to the 1600 metres of the Doncaster.
“He will go to the Liverpool City Cup next. I saw nothing there to discourage me.”
The winner of the Group Three Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Warwick Farm on March 8 gains a start in the $3 million Doncaster on April 12 and is exempt from a penalty.
Terravista’s stablemate That’s A Good Idea finished fourth in the Southern Cross, 2-1/2 lengths from the winner, and will be aimed at sprint races.
“He is in the TJ Smith,” Pride said.
“I was happy with how he went and he will improve on that.
“I’ve also got Rain Affair at home and Tiger Tees in the sprint races so it is going to be hard to keep them apart.”
Topweight Toydini ($12) finished 4-3/4 lengths from the winner under the steadier of 60.5kg.
