Super sprinter Lankan Rupee has drawn the outside barrier in the six horse Group 2 $200,000 Mitsubishi Electric Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Lankan Rupee is ready to resume in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Craig Newitt will team up with Lankan Rupee again at his first race start since finishing ninth to Chautauqua in the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 6 on the first day of ‘The Championships’ during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Trainer Mick Price took Lankan Rupee to Cranbourne for a 800m barrier trial win on September 21 in preparation for his return in the Schillaci Stakes and he expects the Redoute’s Choice six year old to perform near his best first up.
Lankan Rupee also galloped in between races at Caulfield on Saturday and Price was happy with the way the giant gelding pulled up.
“He pulled up well from his exhibition gallop at Caulfield on Saturday and didn’t do much this morning (Tuesday),’’ Price told the Herald Sun yesterday.
“I’ll give him a hitout on the Polytrack tomorrow.’
“He will be ready for the Schillaci and there will be no excuses.”
Tony McEvoy’s in-form sprinter Shiraz has drawn barrier four and will be ridden again by Hugh Bowman replacing Kerrin McEvoy who was aboard last start for a third to Rebel Dane in the Group 2 $200,000 The Bowermans Office Furniture Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 19.
Shiraz was a winner at his previous four starts with Bowman in the saddle for two of them, a win in a $85,000 BenchMark 90 Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on July 19 and a win the Group 3 $125,000 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on September 5 two starts back.
Jason Collett was aboard Shiraz when he started his winning run with a win in an $85,000 BenchMark 95 Handicap (1100m) on July 4 and Damien Oliver steered him to victory in the Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 8.
John Salanitri’s smart mare I Love It has drawn the rails with Stephen Baster hopping back on after they combined to run third to Miracles Of Life in the Group 1 $400,000 William Hill Classic (Registered as Robert Sangster Stakes) (1200m) at Morphettville on May 2.
I Love It had one more run during the Adelaide Autumn Carnival and was spelled after running ninth to Hazard in the Group 3 $115,000 William Hill Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 16.
The Brett Cavanough trained The Monstar drew barrier two with Richard Bensley to ride and is coming off a second in an 1100m $90,000 Handicap at Caulfield on September 26.
Craig Williams will ride the Robert Smerdon trained Alpha Miss from barrier five and restricted galloper Cashed with Dwayne Dunn will jump from gate three.
