Dollars coming out for Rupee in Bletchingly Stakes betting

Brad Waters - Thursday July 27

Punters seem to be pleased an old favourite is returning in Saturday's Group III Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Craig Newitt and Lankan Rupee powering to victory in the 2014 TJ Smith Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

Lankan Rupee will have his first run in eight months in the Bletchingly Stakes but the five-time Group I winner has firmed from $5 to $4.50 to be a solid second pick in Sportsbet's market behind the easing favourite Supido ($3.20 - $3.50).

Two Caulfield jumpouts have the Mick Price-trained sprinter ready to race but regular rider Craig Newitt fears the lack of recent match practice will cost the son of Redoute's Choice late in the $150,000 race.

"His trials have been good without being the Lankan Rupee of old," Newitt said. "He always runs well first-up. 

"Ever since he's been a gelding, I can't recall him running badly without an excuse.

"He'll acquit himself well but the (lack of) race fitness might come into play late in the race."

Lankan Rupee has drawn barrier nine but Newitt expects the likes of Tashbeeh and Charmed Harmony to set a strong enough speed to enable him to find his mount cover, which could be vital with the forecast strong winds at Caulfield on Saturday.

"He's probably going to get posted a little bit but I'm not going to fight him now," Newitt said.

"He's going to be ridden to run his best sectionals late in the race.

"They couldn't have gone any slower than they did in the Monash because they walked in that but the bigger field with a couple of leaders will help in this.

"If he can slot in fourth or fifth with a bit cover it will be good."

The Robert Smerdon-trained Ability is on the third line of Sportsbet's market at $8 ahead of the Queensland-trained filly Savanna Amour, who has firmed from $12 to $9.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Price putting Rupee ahead of dollar chase
Trainer Mick Price says Lankan Rupee’s wellbeing will come before a bid for a guaranteed start in the Group I Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next month.
Problem for Lankan Rupee after Spring Stakes flop
A post-race scope has found the reason for Lankan Rupee’s poor performance in Saturday’s Group III Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.