A trip to Hong Kong has been ruled out for Lankan Rupee but a Winterbottom Stakes start in Perth is still be up for discussion.
A decision was made at the weekend to take the Hong Kong International Sprint in December off the agenda for Lankan Rupee.
Trainer Mick Price said the sprinter’s owner was concerned about the travel and the impact it might have on the gelding’s prospects for next year’s Group One $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney.
“We had him going to the paddock in Australia on January 12th and the TJ Smith is April 4,” Price said.
“So he looks like he will just have four runs.”
Lankan Rupee, the highest-rated sprinter in the world so far this year, was narrowly beaten first-up in the McEwen Stakes.
His next start is the Group One Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 26, then the Group One Manikato Stakes and the Group One Darley Classic at FLemington.
But Price noted the Group One Winterbottom Stakes on November 22 could still be discussed.
“It’s interesting that the Winterbottom is within two weeks (of the Darley Classic),” Price said.
Lankan Rupee worked over 1000m on the course proper at Caulfield on Tuesday morning with Craig Newitt aboard.
“I thought he had a bit of a puff but Craig Newitt thought he was pretty fit.”
Lankan Rupee’s dual Group One-winning stablemate Samaready will kick off her spring campaign in a Group Three 1200-metre race for mares’ at Caulfield on Saturday with Damien Oliver to ride.
“I think the horse will suit him, the way he rides. It will be a good race but she’s a good horse and she’ll be in the money,” Price said.
