Lankan Rupee confirmed today that he is the new sprinting star on the Australian Turf with an explosive win in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.

Lankan Rupee has continued his impressive form to win the Newmarket Handicap. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The Mick Price trained Lankan Rupee made it back to back Group 1 wins after a similar performance in winning the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22.

And now Price is eyeing off the rich Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12 with a trip to England not on the radar.

“He’s a gelding and we don’t have to do England with him. I think all roads lead to Sydney,” Price said.

“$2.5m and five weeks between runs gives me a chance to probably put him in a green grass paddock and reward the horse and just give a nice little break and redo it for Sydney.”

Price was also quick to praise the winning ride of young jockey Chad Schofield who collected his second Group 1 win after winning last year’s Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Shamus Award.

“I thought this young jockey rides beyond his years that kid,” Price said.

“I had a talk to him before the race, and said don’t go out there too scientifically trying to ride a race on him. You know just go with the flow.”

And Schofield responded with a superb ride and had Lankan Rupee ($6) sitting just on the pace before letting him go at the 200m to run away to score a two and a quarter lengths win over Spirit Of Boom ($15) with Knoydart ($10) another length away in third spot to record the same finishing order as the Oakleigh Plate.

Stablemate of the winner Samaready started the $4 favourite and after making a challenge at the 250m, faded to wind up in sixth spot.