Mick Price expects nothing less than a return to the winner’s circle for star sprinter Lankan Rupee in the Moir Stakes.
Lankan Rupee was narrowly beaten first-up in the McEwen Stakes but Price is convinced the world’s highest-rated sprinter has improved markedly ahead of his return to Group One racing at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
The gelding has firmed from $1.55 to $1.45 favourite in the field of five which includes multiple Group One winner Buffering who is second pick at $6.
Price was straightforward with his expectations for Lankan Rupee.
“He’s got to win,” the trainer said.
“I think Buffering is a great horse and a great sprinter, and a good Moonee Valley horse, but Lankan Rupee is there to beat him.
“I think with a lovely, robust, young sprinting horse on the way up, I’d be pretty disappointed if he runs second.”
From a wide draw in the McEwen Stakes, Lankan Rupee ended up in a speed battle with three-year-old Eloping, paving the way for Angelic Light to swoop late and beat the odds-on favourite by a short head.
The mare is again among Lankan Rupee’s rivals in the Moir.
Price does not want to see a repeat of the McEwen scenario and is keen to avoid an early duel with expected leader Buffering.
Buffering’s trainer Robert Heathcote has declared the horse will be going forward in his usual fashion.
Lankan Rupee led Buffering and beat him in their only clash in the TJ Smith Stakes in April, however, Price is happy for his horse to hand over the frontrunning role in the Moir.
“The worse thing that can happen is if they get locked into eye-balling (each other) and neither horse can come back without strangling them, or neither horse can go forward without going too hard,” Price said.
“Sometimes you see those eyeball battles, which is a little bit what we saw first-up in the 1000-metre race, and then just watching the race you know there’s going to be something sitting off you.
“That’s the last thing we want to see.”
Lankan Rupee galloped sharply at Moonee Valley on Monday when he sprinted clear of stablemate Lion Of Belfort.
