The 2015 Manikato Stakes will be Terravista’s second race start at Moonee Valley, but trainer Joe Pride does not believe that the unique track is an issue for the talented sprinter.
Terravista has the chance to record a second win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night. Photo by: Steve Hart
Terravista made his Melbourne racing debut in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) last year, but he had absolutely no luck in running whatsoever and he could finish no better than fifth after being blocked for a run.
Pride said that it was not the fault of Moonee Valley that caused Terravista to be blocked for a run in the Manikato Stakes and he is confident that the Captain Rio gelding will receive a much better run into the 2015 edition of the Manikato Stakes when he jumps from the inside gate on Friday night.
“There wasn’t anything in that run that suggested it was Moonee Valley that caused it,” Pride told Racing Ahead.
“While it is a track that can lead to a few hard luck stories due to the tight-turning little circuit, it was more due to the interference that he copped and he could have coped that on any track.
“For his only go at Moonee Valley it was an outstanding run, so I go back there with confidence.
“He has a nice soft draw and there will be good tempo in the race.
“He is not a horse that you can push or pull around in a race, it is more just let him be where he is happy.
“I would love to think that if he jumps well he can be two or three pairs back the fence and needing lucking, which you need in any race, but with a good tempo on I know how dynamic it is.
“I would like to think that we are going to have a head start on his great rival (Chautauqua).”
Terravista was set to return to the races in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on September 10, but he was scratched due to the threat of a wet track before he started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a narrow win in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
Pride said that Terravista had taken plenty of benefit from his first-up victory, but he revealed that his star sprinter will not reach peak fitness until he defends his title in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“You will see him there on Friday night that he is a bit burly,” Pride said.
“He will peak on Darley Day, but that is not to say for a second that he can’t win on Friday night.
“He has a little bit to go yet, but I am happy to have him in that situation.”
Terravista is currently available at 2015 Manikato Stakes odds of $6 with Ladbrokes and he is on the second line of betting behind dominant favourite Chautauqua ($2.05).
Leading online bookmaker Ladbrokes are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20% on every single runner in the Manikato Stakes field, which guarantees you can score the best odds for Terravista or any other horse in the race.
