Lankan Rupee magnificent in dramatic Manikato win

Lankan Rupee refreshed his world champion title in no uncertain terms on Friday evening with a breath-taking display of powerhouse pace to win the $1 million MVRC Manikato S. 1200m G1.

It is the fourth Group 1 success for Teeley Assets’ home-bred son of champion sire Redoute’s Choice, and easily the most dramatic as Lankan Rupee held off a rolling tide of Australia’s best sprinting talent by a short head, a nose and four short half-heads. In fact, only 0.04 second separated the first seven horses.

Lankan Rupee then had to survive protests by the runner-up Angelic Light and third placegetter Famous Seamus, whose jockeys alleged interference 100 metres after the start. The protest was dismissed by the stewards after about 45 minutes of questioning and deliberation.

The 5YO gelding’s jockey Craig Newitt said, “He’s just a rocket this horse out of the machine. He got the bit between his teeth and I sent him to the front. He was there to be run down but his class shone through.”

The efforts behind Lankan Rupee measured the class of his performance. The riders of Angelic Light, Famous Seamus, Rebel Dane, Terravista, Temple of Boom and Buffering all expressed admiration for their courageous finishes, covered as they were by a very small blanket.

 Lankan Rupee now ranks only behind Miss Finland (five Group 1 victories) among the 25 Group 1 winners by Redoute’s Choice, also represented this Spring by Hampton Court (ATC Spring Champion S. G1), Scissor Kick (ATC Up and Coming S. G3), Panzer Division (ATC Ming Dynasty H. G3) and Perth stakeswinner Rock Magic. Scissor Kick, runner-up in last month’s Golden Rose, confirmed a start in next Saturday’s VRC Coolmore Stud S. G1 with a sparkling jumpout at Flemington on Friday morning.

The second foal of Group 3 winner Estelle Collection (by Stravinsky), Lankan Rupee was foaled and reared at Arrowfield for Muzaffar Yaseen’s Teeley Assets. Trained by Mick Price to win ten of his 19 starts and $2.9 million, he now aims to extend his Group 1 record in the $1 million VRC Darley Classic at Flemington on 8 November.

Estelle Collection has an unraced 3YO filly by Redoute’s Choice, named Timeless Choice; a yearling filly by Manhattan Rain; and foaled a full brother to Lankan Rupee for Coolmore earlier this month.

Lankan Rupee’s year-older sister Charming Estelle has three colts by Manhattan Rain, the latest born at Arrowfield on 28 September.