Rupee’s a step closer
STAR sprinter Lankan Rupee took another significant step towards a race comeback when he ran third in a 700m jumpout at Caulfield yesterday.
Trainer Mick Price said Lankan Rupee had done enough, despite losing by six lengths.
“The main thing is (jockey) Craig (Newitt) said he felt good and he was happy with his action,” he said.
“The two horses he chased home, Danuki and Sweet Perfume, are fast speedy horses.
“Also he’s not 100 per cent on that surface on the inside grass.”
Lankan Rupee will trial on Tuesday on the course proper before running in the Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 29.
“You’ve got to be mindful he’s a big solid horse who has plenty of improvement still to come,” Price said.
“He’s changing shape but it’s taking time. I doubt he’d be ready to win first-up.”
Price said Lankan Rupee had been in work for four months but, as a rising eightyear-old who had had a suspensory injury, he hadn’t been pushing him hard.
“I just want to see his action continue to be 100 per cent,” he said. “If he can’t get the action right then he’s not going to win again.”
Price has his eye on a spot in The Everest if Lankan Rupee can find his best form.
“He’s been one of the best sprinters in the land and we’ll find whether he’s come back in the next two months,” he said.
Lankan Rupee hasn’t started since a fourth in last year’s Darley Classic at Flemington behind Malaguerra.
The winner of the 2014 T.J. Smith Stakes and the 2015 Lightning Stakes had just two starts last year.
Meanwhile, Price’s Sangster Stakes winner Secret Agenda will miss the spring.