The appeal of further Group One success and a top first-up run has swayed Warwick Farm trainer, Joe Pride, to target the Group One Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot later this month.
Perth’s premier sprint was not part of Pride’s original plans, but he had a change of heart following Terravista’s runner-up placing in the Mumm Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on November 3.
Terravista suffered a narrow defeat but lost no admirers at his first start since the T.J.Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April, surging strongly to finish a half-length from Redzel.
Terravista’s runner-up placing gave Pride a massive confidence boost after his star seven-year-old spent four months in the paddock recovering from serious feet issues.
Pride said Terravista had recovered from his Mumm Stakes assault in great order and that a crack at the $1 million Winterbottom Stakes was difficult to ignore.
“Although this race was not on the agenda he is a seven-year-old with 23 starts and we need to take the opportunity and every chance we get,” Pride said on TABradio’s The Sports Daily.
“This Perth race looks ideal for him and I am confident the horse is basically never been in better order than what he is now.
“His feet are excellent now, there are no issues there and I really loved his run the other day and the way he ran through the line.
“I have travelled horses to a few different places before including Hong Kong and I think he is a right horse to do it with.”
Terravista, who has a record of 10 wins and six placing from his 23 starts, is aiming for his second Group One success after taking out the Darley Classic (1200m) in 2014.
The $2 million stakes earner occupies the second line of Winterbottom Stakes betting at $3.50. Heading the TAB market is $3 favourite, Malaguerra, successful in last Saturday’s Darley Classic at Flemington.
Champion Sydney jockey, Hugh Bowman, has been booked to ride Terravista.
Malaguerra is owned in Perth by retired cray fisherman, Bruno Micallizzi.
RWWA: Julio Santarelli