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In a month the Manikato Stakes will take place at Moonee Valley racecourse. So who will you back in the battle between Lankan Rupee and Terravista?
Both Mick Price and Joe Pride have staked their early claim for their horses and if they can be at their peak for this race it will be a dazzling encounter.
Obviously for both the VRC sprint classic is the ultimate goal this spring, but we could see the rivalry ignited under the bright lights of the Moonee Valley racecourse on a Friday night in late October.
What a race it could be as well! Terravista looked flawless in The Shorts (Group 2, 1100 metres), blitzing the field and showing a turn of speed to record a two-length victory over All The Talk by two lengths, with Famous Seamus producing an eye-catching run to grab third.
Terravista’s run was a race record and trainer Joe Pride is now weighing up whether to send the speedster to the Manikato Stakes in late October after he declared his runner “the best sprinter in the world”.
I would love to see this happen as the Australian racing scene has been truly lacking in a true sprint rivalry since the days of Black Caviar and Hay List. Things could get even more interesting when you throw Buffering into the equation.
The Queensland champion trained by Robert Heathcote is looking to take down the two rivals, starting with Lankan Rupee in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley this Friday.
Buffering is right up there as far as sprint champions go, with the six-year-old claiming three Group 1 races last year including the Sprint Classic and Manikato Stakes, so don’t think he won’t be able to do that again.
But it’s a tough ask when you throw in a red hot Terravista as well as Lankan Rupee, who also claimed three Group 1 victories in the Oakleigh Plate, Newmarket Handicap and TJ Smith.
Lankan Rupee was defeated first up off a spell but the 1000 metre journey was not suited and the step up to 1200 metres will help on Friday.
Working with stablemate Lion of Belfort yesterday, Lankan Rupee blitzed his stablemate after quickening from the 600 metre mark to finish four lengths in front, and it’s frightening to think what he will be like in a month come the Manikato Stakes.
Price expects Lankan Rupee will be better suited to Friday night’s distance of 1200 metres and claimed with some added fitness Lankan Rupee will be better off.
“I remember when he beat Snitzerland down the straight over 1000 metres (last spring). I don’t think 1000 is his ideal distance,” Price said.
“I think 1200 metres is a really nice journey for him so I’d be pretty confident that he comes here (on Friday night), steps out and does his best. And wins.”
It looks set to be an epic duel this Friday and we will learn a lot more about Lankan Rupee and Buffering from Friday’s race.
Over the next month the question I asked at the start of this piece will become easier to answer, but after watching the effort of Terravista on the weekend I’d be inclined to say that Joe Pride’s runner might just be the thorn in Lankan Rupee’s side this spring.
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