Gutsy Lankan Rupee Makes All in Manikato
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Lankan Rupee, Australia's newly minted Horse of the Year and champion sprinter, blasted from the starting gate at Moonee Valley Oct. 24 and held on for a narrow victory in the Aus$1 million Sportingbet Manikato Stakes (Aus-I).
The 5-year-old Redoute's Choice gelding and jockey Craig Newitt were in danger of being swamped in the charge to the wire, as no less seven horses were nearly abreast in the final strides. But the winner clung on to his advantage for a nose victory over Angelic Light, with Famous Seamus another nose back in third. Closely following in the blanket finish were Rebel Dane, Terravista, Temple of Boom, Buffering, and Moment of Change.
Stewards dismissed claims of foul against Lankan Rupee. Damien Oliver, aboard Angelic Light, and Tim Clark, rider of Famous Seamus, both alleged the winner caused interference 100 meters after the start.
Lankan Rupee covered 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in 1:10.33 on turf labeled good.
Trained by Mick Price for owner/breeder Teeley Assets, Lankan Rupee rebounded from two nose defeats at Moonee Valley: the Mittys McEwen Stakes (Aus-II) to Angelic Light Sept. 6, followed by the A. J. Moir Stakes (Aug-I) to Buffering Sept. 26. Lankan Rupee then suffered a quarter crack.
Price said leading up to the Manikato that his runner had fully recovered.
The Manikato marked Lankan Rupee's fourth group I win and 10th triumph overall from 19 career starts. With the victory, he looks to possibly hold his ranking as the world's top-rated sprinter.
Newitt gunned Lankan Rupee to the early lead in the Manikato. At one point, he led his closest pursuer Buffering by about two lengths. That opponent niggled at him all the way but was unable to close the gap until the turn into the stretch when a wall of horses closed in through the final 50 meters.
"He was like a rocket today," Newitt told www.bloodstock.com.au about Lankan Rupee, who was bred in Australia from the Stravinksy mare Estelle Collection. "I just grabbed the bit between the teeth and sent him to the front."