3 minute read
The promising Terravista should continue his rise through the grades in the final event at Randwick on Saturday.
With connections harbouring autumn carnival aspirations, Terravista steps up in both class and distance off a clinical first up success on the Kensington track 17 days ago.
The performance has him rating highly amongst this field on weight adjusted 50 day Timeform figures and all signs point to there being further room for improvement. 
Terravista certainly has a wrap on him with last start jockey Hugh Bowman suggesting the four-year-old was the best horse he had partnered at a midweek meeting for some time.
Usually one to gradually work his horses through the grades, Pride has elected to jump Terravista from a Benchmark 70 to a Benchmark 80.
Regardless, the Captain Rio four-year-old still rates as the one to beat.
Terravista’s first up performance was assessed at 90, a new master Timeform figure for the gelding.
He will strip fitter for that outing and second up with added race experience on his side, building upon that latest master figure is almost expected.
Jason Collett returns to the saddle who partnered Terravista during both runs last campaign and in both trials heading into this.
Expect the pair to be prominent from barrier six and could take some beating in the Darley Bush Fire Support Handicap (1200m).
$3.50 as of Friday morning is available and worth taking about a horse who looks on his way to bigger and better things.
There appears to be a sense of timing about California Storm in the Buy Your Next Racehorse at Inglis Handicap (1000m).
The Darren Smith-trained mare has been a model of consistency this campaign and last start placed at Rosehill over 1100m.
It was arguably a career best performance and has her rating well amongst this company.
California Storm now drops back in trip and sits nicely just above the limit weight with 54.5kg.
A 1.5kg claim from Sam Clipperton sees California Storm carry nothing on her back and in a race of minimal depth appeals at her current each way quote.
The daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar has excellent distance credentials and lines up in a field which possesses a number of rivals who don't appear well suited at all.
From an inside draw, Clipperton will have the five-year-old mare positioned handy and as she so often does California Storm should be fighting out the finish.
Last start winner Mulaqen contests the McGrath Estate Agents Benchmark 80 Handicap (2000m).
The Chris Waller-trained runner is a clear cut favourite but the event shapes as potentially being a more open affair than betting currently suggests.
Mulaqen has been ridden more aggressively during his past two outings and the decision has paid dividends.
He rises in weight following that last start success and on weight adjusted ratings, there isn’t much separating most in the field.
Main dangers include last start winners Toffler and Zephyron who arguably have more upside at present still early in their campaigns.
Mulaqen has come up short enough for the third race at Randwick on Saturday and at his current price is worth taking on.
SYDNEY SPECIALS
Banker: R8 #11 Terravista @ $3.50
Play Of The Day: R5 #8 California Storm @ $5.00
Lay Of The Day: R3 #1 Mulaqen @ $2.60
