The 'Big Bulldog' Terravista Takes the Title

Published: 08 Nov 2014

Terravista now has a tag of "worlds best sprinter" to contend with after the five-year-old son of Captain Rio sprinted brilliantly to take out yesterday's star studded edition of the Group One Darley Classic over 1200 metres at Flemington.

"Hes a big bulldog", trainer Joe Pride says of Terravista. A bulldog that always shows fight and determination and now seemingly has a will to win against the best sprinters in the land. In his mind, the horse has now done the talking and is clearly the best horse Pride has trained, "he's a superstar!" Pride exclaimed after the race.

Settling toward the rear of the field behind the solid pace set by Lankan Rupee and Buffering, leading jockey Hugh Bowman plotted a path in behind the favourite Chautauqua. He steered Terravista through gaps and found the openning he needed just at the right time.

Terravista defeated boom-sprinter Chatauqua, who ran a game second a long-head away, while Lankan Rupee was 3/4-length back in third with the ever tough Buffering wilting over the final stages running fourth in a time of 1:08.74.

On casting the mind back to the messy race that was the Manikato a fortnight ago, one can see that the run of Terravista against most of those that lined up yesterday was inconclusive as he was clearly uncomfortable at the tight Mooney Valley circuit. Yesterday was his chance to stretch out and deliver, and that he did in fine style.

Autumn riches await our newly crowned sprinting marvel who will now head to the spelling paddock, and along with others from the Darley Classic, he still has improvement heading into the new year. It is also interesting to note that the first six over the line are geldings, which will ensure more mouth watering clashes as our sprinting stocks remain high over the coming years