3 minute read

Preparations for the Lightning Stakes in Melbourne went up a cog at Warwick Farm today when crack sprinters Terravista and Exosphere clashed in a barrier trial.

The honours went to Terravista but once again it was the powerhouse three-year-old Exosphere that left onlookers in awe as he steamed home to finish a close second in the 804m heat on a soft track.

Terravista’s stablemate Ball Of Muscle set a fast pace and finished a close third with G1 winners Bounding, Contributor and First Seal also performing strongly in the class-packed heat.

Ball Of Muscle ran them along but was overhauled late by Terravista, who travelled wide without cover while Exopshere sat on his back in midfield.

Terravista was under a tight hold from James McDonald as he reeled in Ball Of Muscle while Hugh Bowman never let Exopshere have his head as he closed fast under no pressure to finish a long neck away in the fast time of 47.6 seconds.

It was a trial to whet the appetite for the upcoming clash of the pair in the G1 Lightning Stakes over 1000m at Flemington on Saturday week.

Bounding finished an excellent fourth less than a length from the winner while First Seal and Contributor had little more than working gallops to finish midfield.

First Seal was urged along late and her effort indicated she will be looking for 1400m when she resumes in the Millie Fox Stakes on Saturday week.

Watch Exosphere, Terravista, Contributer, Ball Of Muscle, First Seal & Famous Seamus in this morning's W'Farm #SkyBThttps://t.co/OKugcYzYgI

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2016

Chris Waller’s top mare Catkins also won her heat over 1100m, beating Vergara and Ballet Suite.

Catkins impressed in her barrier trial at Warwick Farm this morning, also featured Melb Cup runner Preferment #SkyBThttps://t.co/wc0BRVIrMv

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 7, 2016

Va Pensiero may also be heading to Melbourne to take on Terravista and Exosphere first-up in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) after finishing second in 804m heat won by Inside Job.