Terravista to have at least one spring run
Group One winner Terravista will run at least once this spring, with trainer Joe Pride keen to get a run under his belt before he takes on next year’s sprinting features.
While Pride had planned to give his stable star the spring off, he has changed his mind and will race Terravista in the Listed Mumm Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Thursday week.
Pride said he wanted to give Terravista a competitive race start in spring before tackling Group One targets next year.
“Without having seen what’s going to line up on the day, I haven’t been able to place him in a Listed race for a few years,” Pride told AAP.
The last time Terravista ran in a non-Group race was the November 2013 Listed Festival Stakes.
Terravista was not asked for a major effort as he beat three rivals home in a 760m barrier trial at Hawkesbury on Monday, coming home in 44.68 seconds.
“I kind of wanted a bit more opposition but it wasn’t there,” Pride said.
“But that trial was the right time out from the race.
“It’s served its purpose, he’s come through it well and he looks good.”
Pride said the feet issues that have hampered Terravista have been solved after four months in the paddock.
“We had to bite the bullet there and give him a spell,” Pride said.
“It’s meant missing this spring almost altogether.
“I’ve managed to get him up for one run so I’m more than happy with that.”
Pride said at this stage the Mumm Stakes would be Terravista’s sole run for the spring, but until he sees him race nothing would be ruled out including the Winterbottom Stakes in Perth on November 26.
Ball Of Muscle will line up in the Group Two Linlithgow Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday, while stablemate Kentucky Miss will bypass the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in favour of the Group Three Red Roses Stakes (1100m) against her own sex on Oaks Day, November 3.