Extra spring race for Moir Stakes favourite Lankan Rupee

Trainer Mick Price is considering an extra Spring assignment for his stable star Lankan Rupee who is the short priced favourite for the Group 1 $450,000 City Jeep Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley tonight.

Lankan Rupee could have an extra Spring race between the Moir Stakes and the Manikato Stakes.

Lankan Rupee could have an extra Spring race between the Moir Stakes and the Manikato Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Price had pencilled in tonight’s Moir Stakes and the Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Manikato Stakes (1200m) also at Moonee Valley on October 24 for Lankan Rupee.

But the top Caulfield trainer is now thinking that the four weeks in between runs might be too long for the giant sprinter who continues to do well in the stable.

“I’ve just got a thought in my head whether the horse is going to do too well in between,” Price told AAP.

“The horse is thriving at the moment and I think 28 days (in between races) might be a bit of overkill for him.”

The Group 2 $200,000 Anco Seed & Turf Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on October 11 is pitted right in the middle of the Moir Stakes and the Manikato Stakes and would seem the logical choice if Price decided on an extra Spring hit out for the triple Group 1 winner.

Lankan Rupee suffered a shock first up defeat at the hands of the Robbie Griffiths trained Angelic Light when he was sent out the $1.22 favourite for the Group 2 $200,000 Mitty’s McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 6.

Ryan Maloney on Angelic Light had the last crack at Lankan Rupee who was collared in the last fifty metres but Price and race jockey Craig Newitt can’t see the Redoute’s Choice five year old getting beaten tonight.

“He has improved from his first-up run,’’ Price told The Daily Telegraph.

“I expect him to win. I’d be very disappointed if this young and robust sprinter on the way up were to be beaten by Buffering.’’

Angelic Light will be up against Lankan Rupee again in the five horse Moir Stakes but Price is wary of proven Group 1 performer Buffering who is having his first Spring outing tonight.

“You would want Buffering to lead and us get a sit behind him,” Price said.

“I’m keen for us not to be leading and I certainly don’t want a repeat of the McEwen Stakes where we were eyeballing a rival in front and set up the race for a stalker.

“The last thing I want is for us and Buffering to be eyeballing, with neither able to drop back or press forward. That would set it up for a scooper again.’’

“If Buffering leads and we get a nice sit, there will be no excuses.’’

As expected Lankan Rupee remains at the top of the market order for the Moir Stakes and is marked at $1.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Queensland sprinter Buffering is the next in the betting at $5.50 ahead of Angelic Light at $7, The Gary Portelli trained Rebel Dane at $8 with Unpretentious the outsider of the small field at $31.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.