Lankan Rupee Team Happy With Barrier Trial

Tuesday, 19 August 2014 07:50

A campaign that holds great expectations for Lankan Rupee has started with a pleasing barrier trial at Cranbourne.

Even though Lankan Rupee was beaten, both trainer Mick Price and jockey Craig Newitt gave the triple Group One winner their seal of approval after the hit-out on rain-affected ground.

In his first public appearance since winning the Group One TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney during the autumn, the world's highest-rated sprinter bounced to the front in his trial before being held together by Newitt in the straight.

Jockey Craig Newitt riding Lankan Rupeee

He finished one length from Group-placed mare Hazard with Akavoroun two lengths away third.

"He's had a nice preparation and he's got another trial in front of him, probably at Caulfield next Tuesday," Price said.

Newitt said Lankan Rupee would take benefit from the trial and is confident the sprinter has come back as well as the autumn when he rose to stardom with wins in the Oakleigh Plate, Newmarket Handicap and TJ Smith.

"He didn't go overly hard today but he's had a good blow and he'll take good benefit from it," Newitt said.

"The track was pretty heavy so we didn't want to kill him on it."

Lankan Rupee resumes in the McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 6 before Group One starts in the Moir Stakes, Manikato Stakes and Darley Classic.

A trip to Hong Kong for the International Sprint is also on Lankee Rupee's program.

"I'm not looking forward to the day he doesn't win," Price said when asked what a realistic expectation is for the gun sprinter this campaign.

"I'd like to see him win every time I produce him.

"If he was a little bit vulnerable first-up I would accept that, but certainly in the Group Ones over 1200 (metres) is not where I want to see him being beaten."