It was billed as one of the best races of the Melbourne spring carnival and the Darley Classic certainly delivered.

Terravista came out on top in a field that contained Australia's best sprinters along with unplaced Irish raider Slade Power.

Trainer Joe Pride boasted Terravista was Australia's best sprinter prior to the Manikato Stakes a little over two weeks ago.

The horse may have proven him right with victory in the Darley Classic.

Giving Hugh Bowman a second Group One victory for the carnival, Terravista ($10) scored a long head win over Chautauqua ($2.45 fav) with Lankan Rupee ($5) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.

Pride said the gelding would now be spelled before an autumn campaign that could see him return to Melbourne for the Newmarket Handicap or run in the rich Sydney autumn carnival.

"I've got to consider prizemoney with a horse like this," Pride said.

"He's done a pretty good job today and won a pretty decent cheque.

"We could possibly come back here for the Newmarket but the Sydney autumn holds some nice riches for him as well."

Pride said Terravista was only just to starting to reach his peak.

"I've known all along that this is the best horse that I've ever trained and I've been pretty bullish about him, so it was great to see him pull it off today," Pride said."

"I don't want to compare great moments but that was fantastic. Watching that race as it unfolded was so exciting."

Bowman, who won the VRC Oaks on Set Square on Thursday, said he went into the race feeling confident after the gelding ran an unlucky fifth in the Manikato at Moonee Valley.

Bowman was surprised he got so far back in the run in the Darley though.

"I didn't expect to be that far back but I've got confidence in Joe and I know the horse and I was happy ride him where comfortable," Bowman said.

"He was smoking and all he needed was a run and he didn't need much room.

"He's up there with best sprinters I've ridden, most of which have been younger horses, but he's the best weight-for-age sprinter I've been on."

Riders of the placegetters, Dwayne Dunn on Chautauqua and Chad Schofield and Lankan Rupee, both said their charges had run super but were beaten by the better horse on the day.