Racing: Pair clash in Oz feature

Hugh Bowman riding Terravista finishing 3rd in Race 6. Photo / Getty Images

Sydney horseman Joe Pride is the first to admit Terravista didn't perform to expectation in the TJ Smith Stakes.

Sent out favourite, Terravista wasn't disgraced in finishing third, but he also wasn't the horse who claimed the Darley Classic in the spring.

A wide run from an outside draw and a three-week break between races might have contributed to his lack of zip over the final 100m, but Pride is loath to reach for excuses.

"I don't want to make too many excuses for him because I thought he was a bit disappointing," Pride said.

"But you can find them if you look hard enough."

Pride is happier to look ahead and towards Terravista's next target, the A$400,000 All Aged Stakes at Randwick today.

The 5-year-old has lost some lustre with punters and is a $5 second pick behind Chautauqua, who has been hailed as Australian racing's latest sprint star after winning the TJ Smith from a seemingly impossible position.

It will be the third time this preparation the pair have clashed and so far Chautauqua has had the wood on Terravista. Chautauqua has an exceptional turn of foot.

But the snake in the grass is a distance rise to 1400m.

Terravista and Chautauqua have won at the trip but it was early in their respective careers in much lesser grades.

— AAP