Terravista has produced a late surge to post a Group One breakthrough in the $1 million Darley Classic.

Confirming the unwavering faith of trainer Joe Pride and jockey Hugh Bowman, Terravista burst between runners after coming from worse than midfield in the 1200-metre sprint at Flemington.

Terravista joined the fray late with Chautauqua making their bids as Lankan Rupee momentarily hit the front before being swamped by the duo.

Making their runs together Terravista got on terms with Chautauqua and went on with it to be a clear-cut winner at the post.

Pride said the race didn’t work out as he expected with Terravista drifting off the early speed set by Buffering and Lankan Rupee.

“He didn’t have the run I thought he would have,” Pride said. “I thought he would have been closer.”

Bowman, who added the Darley Classic to his VRC Oaks triumph on Set Square, has no doubt where Terravista is heading when it comes to ranking the nation’s best sprinters.

“He’s a serious horse this … he’ll be the best sprinter in the country come the autumn,” Bowman said.

Irish star Slade Power made a slow start but recovered to race just behind the leaders before dropping out of contention from the 250m.

It was a disappointing way for the Irish sprinter’s career to finish as he prepares for life at stud.

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