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.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
And Lankan Rupee hasn't proved he can beat ANGELIC LIGHT yet. I reckon she is a great chance of knocking him off again. Better suited at 1200m and he is second up and she is third up. She beat him fair and square last start and she wasn't around last Autumn when he went on a rampage.
The Doctor
Guest
Lets not include Deep Field in this debate just yet. He won a restricted class midweek race. 2nd horse was beaten the same margin at it's previous start. Track record yes, but that also needs to be taken in context. Look who the previous track record holder was. Just a Listed race winner. How many elite sprinters have raced over 1100m at Canterbury?
kv joef
Roar Guru
Yes Deep Field was most impressive being merely sooled along for TrkRec. Gary Moore has NotListenToMe at Rosehill now and that should make you smile. the start of the Moore Brothers expanding entereprise. Gary has intimate knowledge of the Asian Racing Market and as trainer should make his presence felt here. His stable should keep high-class 4 yr-olds flowing into John's HK stable. But Au-punters should not underestimate Gary Moore as a trainer ... won a lot of Macau championships.
andrew
Guest
the manikato is merely the entree to the sprint classic. i doubt the manikato will win the spring classic. john hawkes has two stars nomed for the sprint classic but not in the manikato. deep impact who won today. and notlistentome who is a total star and so lightly raced and his 2nd to zoustar in his first prep off a 7 day back up, and then taking on the big guns in G1 WFA and running 2nd to the then flying apperance underly his talent. shame he is off to hong kong after than. one of them would be my tip.
BrisburghPhil
Roar Guru
Interestingly the 3yos ran faster overall time than Terravista on Saturday and ran a faster last 600m, on possibly inferior ground at that time of the day. Not sure what to read into that.
andrew
Guest
concur will. you can sneak in the 6:45 and 7:15 whilst they are in the shower or cleaning their teeth. i am to have them off in bed by the 7:45pm race. i make the missus a cup of tea and watch her average reality tv show until the 8:15 race, and then im a free man thereafter with the first leg of the quad at 8:45pm.
kv joef
Roar Guru
Bondy, Here's the article i read and link to the Fairfax Media article ... http://www.smh.com.au/sport/horseracing/seven-tvn-on-brink-of-10year-deal-for-twostate-vision-rights-20140921-10k1v0.html as you see their sub deal with Fox ends 2015. I get the feeling that there might not be a sub on mate or whatever ... maybe they are thinking Metro free, pay if you want the others. Will be rebadged the Racing Network. with this and copyright deal ... at long last the AU racing industry has control of its own future!!!
Bondy
Guest
kv joef What will that mean then that the same content on subscription/cable will go to 7mate or whatever they have ?.
kv joef
Roar Guru
think you will find that they are about to do a deal with Channel 7 to bring TVN to free-to-air. Reportedly, the deal is worth $600m.
MAX
Guest
TVN loses $20M a year without a licence to urinate in the street. They contract how Carlton appoints coaches and Richmond recruits players. Then the NSW government kicks in with $20M.for a two day extravaganza
Michael Steel
Roar Pro
It wasn't the 1000 metres which beat Lankan Rupee first up. He drew the outside gate and sat 2nd outside the leader. Then Atlantic Light (the third favourite at 20/1) had barrier one, sat third on the fence, had the drop on him and just pipped Lankan Rupee on the line. If Lankan Rupee was drawn in the first 6 he would have won. It doesn't matter how good you are if you sit 2nd outside the leader your chances of winning are strongly diminished. Interestingly Black Caviar drew a lot of outside gates but Luke Nolan always sat back and deep and never sat second.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I'm curious at what goes on at TVN!
Bondy
Guest
Just wondering why doesn't Shane Templeton do Saturdays for TVN anymore he was good, better than Shark ? ...
Scuba
Guest
I'm All The Talk is a B grader at best, and Famous Seamus was half fit. Terravista is very good but not in the same league as Lankan Rupee at this stage.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Will have to keep the eyes out!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Great points! Terravista has been impressive at Group 2 but like you said he hasn't proved at group 1 which is the big question mark at the moment, the only thing that has me thinking as well, but I can see big improvements this spring.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Haha excellent thoughts there KV! I wanna see how Lankan Rupee goes on Friday night handling the Moonee Valley track before I get too excited. I just want them to build this rivalry as it will divide plenty of people in my opinion as it already has, I'm just happy we have another rivalry on the cards! :)
kv joef
Roar Guru
Might have to expand the argument! after just watched Deep Field (Team Hawkes) continuing his impression of Demolition Man breaking a 10yr track record and, of coarse faster, than is July effort of 63.1 (1100m). His early career is really starting to resemble his old man Northern Meteor.
kv joef
Roar Guru
Might have to expand the argument! Just watched Deep Field (Team Hawkes) continuing his impression of Demolition Man breaking a 10yr track record and, of coarse faster, than is July effort of 63.1 (1100m). His early career is really starting to resemble his old man Northern Meteor.
The Doctor
Guest
Terravista is showing the potential. Of course he has to take the step up from Group 2 level before any genuine claims can be made. Truth is our sprint ranks are a bit thin so he doesn't have to step up too much. Have a look at last season. Lankan Rupee was really the only sprinter to emerge at the elite level. Him aside we saw the top sprints being taken out by the veteran campaigners in Buffering, Spirit of Boom and Tiger Tees with Moment of Change also thereabouts. The stage is set for Terravista but I'll reserve judgement till he takes on the best.