Terravista, Hucklebuck Win in Australia
Description:
Terravista won a gathering of elite speedsters in the Darley Classic (Aus-I) Nov. 8 at Flemington, powering up fast and late to defeat favorite Chautaugua and Lankan Rupee, the world's top-rated sprinter.
At the start, Lankan Rupee and Buffering vied for the lead in a tightly bunched field, with Chautaugua at the rail waiting for an opening. Lankan Rupee edged ahead after the 300-meter mark and Chautaugua worked through rivals and into contention. Driving between horses, Terravista was moving fastest of all and overtook Lankan Rupee toward the finish to win by a neck from Chautaugua, who went to second in the final strides.
Lankan Rupee hung around for third, three-quarters a length back, followed by Buffering another 1 3/4 lengths back in the 13-horse field.
Irish-based runner Slade Power, a noted rogue at the gate, behaved impeccably but lost all chance at the start when throwing his head up as his blindfold was snatched off when the gate opened. He raced prominently on the rail early but was beaten in the final furlong on the firmer than desired turf and pulled up lame.
Terravista, a 5-year-old Captain Rio gelding, finished the straight 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in 1:08.79 on a course labeled as good.
Fifth last time out behind Lankan Rupee in the Manikato (Aus-I) Oct. 24 at Moonee Valley, Terravista is trained by Joe Pride for a 10-person partnership. He tallied his first win at the highest level and improved his overall record to 9-1-0 from 13 starts.
The Saturday card at Flemington, the final day of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, also included the Emirates Stakes (Aus-I), won by Hucklebuck.
As expected, Tasmanian-trained The Cleaner jumped out and set a smart pace as River Lad, Le Baabaz, and Hooked tried to keep in touch in the strung-out field, and Hucklebuck was kept to within striking distance in fourth by Dom Tourneur. The Cleaner had a clear lead into the stretch and clung to it until the final 200 meters when Hucklebuck was first up to challenge.
Edging into command, the of son Elvstroem dug in to repel onrushing Lucky Hussler and won by a head, with The Cleaner holding on for a brave third in the 15-horse field.
Hucklebuck was timed in 1:34.63 for 1,600 meters (about one mile)
Trained by Phillip Stokes for owner C. K. Li, Hucklebuck posted a third consecutive victory, following a stakes win at Morphettville Oct. 18 and the Yellowglen Stakes (Aus-III) Nov. 1 at Flemington. He has an 8-1-1 record from 13 career starts.
Elsewhere on Saturday, jockey Opie Bosson notched a sixth New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-I) victory when piloting Turn Me Loose to an easy score at Riccarton..
Turn Me Loose was in front soon after turning for home when front-runner Vinnie Eagle weakened. The Iffraaj colt lengthened stride in the final 150 meters and coasted to a three-length triumph.
Bosson took the Guineas for the first time on Danske (1998), with further victories to follow on Buzz Lightyear (1999), King's Chapel (2003), and Katie Lee (2009).
He claimed the Guineas last year aboard Atlante for Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. The trio successfully combined again on Saturday with Turn Me Loose, who was timed in 1:35 flat for 1,600 meters
Rockfast came home from the back of the field to take second, and Prince Mambo closed late for third.