Trainer Mick Price is pleased with the condition of Lankan Rupee and confirmed that the veteran sprinter is still on course for a first-up run in the rescheduled Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Ladbrokes Park on Sunday.
Lankan Rupee will return to racing in Sunday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Sandown. Photo: Sarah Ebbett
A five-time Group 1 winner, Lankan Rupee’s recent career has been plagued by injury and he has not been seen at the races in 2017, having suffered a suspensory ligament ailment in his off foreleg during his gallant run for fourth in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) on November 5th.
Price told Racenet that the horse was ready to resume in the Bletchingly Stakes when it was slated for Caulfield last weekend and his plans to stretch the horse out over a longer trip this time have not been inhibited.
“It adds to the question of fitness, a little bit but not much,” Price said of running at Ladbrokes Park, rather than Caulfield.
“If I’m going to the PB Lawrence (Stakes) and then the Memsie (Stakes), it’s still 13 days (between runs). It’s not ideal but I can work around it.
“I’m maintaining a steady course.
“The Aurie’s Star (Handicap, August 12th) is not an option because he’d get too much weight in a handicap so it’s not going to worry me too much.”
Lankan Rupee was the star of Australian turf during the Autumn Carnival of 2014; winning the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) first-up before posting consecutive wins in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
Winning the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley most notably during his subsequent spring campaign, the Redoute’s Choice gelding resumed in 2015 for a dominant win in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m), but has since made only five appearances at the races as a result of injuries.
The 2017 Bletchingly Stakes field and barrier draw is set to be re-released by midday, Wednesday (August 2nd).
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