Craig Newitt has regained the ride on star sprinter Lankan Rupee in the TJ Smith Stakes after a change of plans for stablemate Samaready.
Chad Schofield rode Lankan Rupee to victory in the Newmarket Handicap when Newitt stayed loyal to Samaready in the feature sprint.
But Newitt became available to ride Lankan Rupee when trainer Mick Price shelved plans for Samaready to start in the TJ Smith after her disappointing run in the William Reid Stakes.
Price said Newitt’s earlier association with Lankan Rupee earned him a recall to ride the sprinter.
Schofield is on stand-by should Newitt become unavailable to ride the four-year-old at Randwick on April 12.
Bookmakers have Lankan Rupee a clear favourite to win the TJ Smith ahead of Buffering and Zoustar.
Price is setting Samaready for the Group One Sportingbet Classic at Morphettville on April 26.
“They (Samaready’s owners) just felt she couldn’t beat Lankan Rupee and the timing of the Adelaide race will give us time to give her a freshen,” Price said.
“That will give us another couple of weeks before her next run in South Australia and she goes well fresh.”
The Group One Goodwood on May 10 is also on Samaready’s agenda, providing she races well in the Sportingbet Classic.
Price has not decided on a Sportingbet Classic rider for Samaready with Newitt likely to be in Sydney for the final day of the autumn carnival.
