Trainer Mick Price has confirmed that Lankan Rupee will head to the spelling paddock and is no chance of contesting the 2014 All Aged Stakes at Royal Randwick next Saturday.
Lankan Rupee finished his autumn preparation with three straight victories at Group 1 level. Photo by: Steve Hart
Lankan Rupee stamped himself as the best sprinter in the world with a dominant two lengths victory over Rebel Dane and Buffering in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday and is now considered a leading contender for horse of the year honors after recording wins in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) during the 2014 Melbourne Festival Of Racing.
Price is confident that Lankan Rupee would prove tough to beat over 1400 metres in the All Aged Stakes, but told RSN that the Redoute’s Choice gelding would not be seen at the races again until the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
“I wouldn’t be worried about 1400 metres,” Price said.
“He has a high cruising speed and as he gets a little bit older he is going to be a bit more seasoned, bigger and relaxed.
“He still sort of presents as a bit of a young horse and that was his first trip away.
“I’m sure it is going to be no problem for the horse, but he is definitely going to paddock.
“He has done what he has done and puts his all into his races, and by the time I get him home you have the spring in front of you.”
Price ruled out an overseas tilt at Royal Ascot for Lankan Rupee after his T.J. Smith win and said that he is happy to chase the prizemoney on offer in races like the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m), Group 1 Manikato Stakes and Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival before thinking about taking the talented gelding overseas.
“I suppose the Patinack (now known as the VRC Sprint Classic) and whatever races lead into the Patinack,” Price said.
“Somebody mentioned Hong Kong, but you sort of have to go with the prizemoney.
“He is a four-year-old gelding and I was happy with the way that he handled the trip away.
“If we did go away, I think that he would handle it now.”
Lankan Rupee is currently rated equal eighth on the 2014 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings and his rating is expected to increase following his impressive T.J. Smith Stakes win.
