Rupee to have Bletchingly hit-out at Sandown

Brad Waters - Monday July 31

Caulfield trainer Mick Price will gallop Lankan Rupee at Sandown on Wednesday to give the star sprinter a look at the track before Sunday's rescheduled Bletchingly Stakes.

Advertisement
Lankan Rupee will get a look at the Sandown circuit ahead of Sunday's Bletchingly Stakes. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Wild winds at Caulfield on Saturday forced the postponement of the Bletchingly Stakes with the $150,000 feature to be run as part of the Melbourne Racing Club's Grand National Hurdle programme.

Lankan Rupee has not raced at Sandown in his 26-start career but Price will give the five-time Group I winner a hit-out on the circuit alongside his stablemate Duke Of Brunswick, who was also in the Bletchingly Stakes field.

Price said the eight-day delay to Lankan Rupee's return to racing would not significantly alter his plans to run the horse over 1400m at his second and third runs this time in.

"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," Price said.

"I'm maintaining a steady course.

"The Aurie's Star (Handicap at Flemington six days later) is not an option because he'd get too much weight in a handicap so it's not going to worry me too much."

The Sandown circuit is likely to be softer than the Caulfield track but Price said a little more give in the ground would not harm Lankan Rupee's chances of a first-up win.

"It adds to the question of fitness, a little bit but not much."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Black Type Potential for Zoustar Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy have  plans to tackle Black Type races with promising Zoustar colt Prestar, who scored his second win from just five starts at Randwick on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Too Darn Hot nomination realises $255,000 in August (Late) Sale
A nomination in exceptional young stallion Too Darn Hot has topped today’s Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, selling for $255,000.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.
Wootton Bassett Colt Salutes at Sandown
Overdue for a win, talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Yamashita’s Gold shook off maiden status with a determined victory at Sandown on Wednesday for the Gavid Bedggood stable.
Last to First – He’s Seriously Hot!
Sent to the paddock after just one placing from five starts at two that included three attempts in stakes company, Siriusly Hot returned a gelding at Randwick and it certainly made a difference!
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.