Mick Price believes that followers of his outstanding sprinter Lankan Rupee will see a far fitter and more forward galloper in Friday night's group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Having watched Lankan Rupee glide through his work at Moonee Valley on Monday morning, he now believes that the horse rated the finest sprinter in the world will return to the winner's circle this Friday night.
"His work this morning was very good and he'll improve immensely from his first start to next Friday night.
"I think he has improved a lot and he'll be hard to beat," Price said.
Working with stablemate Lion of Belfort over 1000 metres, Lankan Rupee raced clear of his rival in the closing stages to score by four lengths.
"I remember when he beat Snitzerland down the straight over 1000 metres last spring and I don't think the 1000 metres is really the distance he's suited at.
"I think 1200 metres is exactly what he wants and that's what he'll get here on Friday night.
"I hope he arrives, steps out, does his best and wins," he said.
Craig Newitt was equally upbeat about Lankan Rupee following his trip to Moonee Valley.
"Mick just wanted him to have a nice hit-out. He said you just don't have to hold him back to the other horse," Hewitt said.
Price and Newitt won the Moir Stakes last year with high-class race mare Samaready who was retired from racing on Sunday after failing in a 1200-metre mares event at Caulfield on Saturday.
Lankan Rupee won't have it all his own way in the group 1 sprint as the Queensland-based Buffering - a multiple group 1 winner throughout his career - is certainly ready to threaten Australia's fastest race horse.
Angelic Light is another contender who has been entered for the weight-for-age 1200-metre event.
Price recently announced that Lankan Rupee would not venture to Hong Kong this spring as he will be spelled after his spring commitments for the T.J. Smith Stakes in April.
