There is a sense of anticipation accompanying trainer Joe Pride heading into the autumn carnival.

Rain Affair has been Pride's headline horse but a lacklustre Expressway Stakes return has cast doubt over his ability to keep that position.

Terravista has emerged as a possible successor.

And after five wins from seven starts, his first-up Group Three victory is proof that his statistics aren't just a reflection of good placement.

Terravista will be asked to go to another level of racing again at Warwick Farm on Saturday in the Liverpool City Cup.

His opposition will include established sprinters Pinwheel and Howmuchdoyouloveme as well as up-and-comers El Roca and White Sage.

For Pride, the fun is in the chase.

In Terravista he has a horse whose potential is not fully realised.

"I've got a few in the stable at the moment like that and they're good horses to be involved with," Pride said.

Terravista posted three successive victories in benchmark races last spring before his only defeat when second to White Sage in the Festival Stakes.

He resumed last month in the Southern Cross Stakes and showed a brand of acceleration so often the trademark of top-class gallopers.

"I was relieved more than surprised," Pride said.

"We've got a good opinion of him, it was a matter of him coming out and doing it on race day.

"Every start he seems to show us something a bit different."