Lankan Rupee, the horse with the white heart marking on his head, affirmed his title as the best sprinter in the world with a dominant victory on Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick.
A prize-money boost to the traditional Australian Derby Day card, the return of the Doncaster Mile (1600m, Group 1, handicap) to the meeting, and the new ‘Championships’ branding put the racing world’s focus on Sydney.
And those that made the effort to watch the racing from around the world were properly rewarded when four-year-old sprinter Lankan Rupee went to a new mark in recording another dominant victory, this time in the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m, Group 1, weight-for-age).
This was a flawless performance from the gelding. From the inside barrier, on a bottomless heavy track and in driving rain, Lankan Rupee was miles too good in his Group 1 weight-for-age debut.
He fired out of the barriers for jockey Craig Newitt and held a length advantage over the field before any proper order had been established. Then, importantly, he settled beautifully in the lead.
Lankan Rupee is a kind traveller, which will help him reach the summit of his unbounded potential. A horse like Boban may never capitalise on his great talent because of a tendency to pull for more rein in the middle stages of races. Whenever Boban pulls, his acceleration is blunted.
The ability to settle sweetly is important, but what really stamps Lankan Rupee as a super horse is his turn of foot and capacity to maintain his top speed for up to 400 metres. For a sprinter, it’s an incredible engine.
Approaching the famous Randwick rise, Lankan Rupee was asked to put the TJ Smith to rest with less than 400m to go. Within five strides, he had Buffering – a three time Group 1 weight-for-age winner at 1200m this season – disappearing quickly from his rear-view mirror.
Despite not being totally comfortable in the bog, Lankan Rupee was a mile too powerful for the best weight-for-age line-up seen in Australia this racing year. His two-length victory was decisive.
Lankan Rupee has now won three Group 1s in succession, is clearly the best Australian horse in training, and the best sprinter on the planet.
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities made updates to their world rankings just in time for start of The Championships. On Saturday morning, Lankan Rupee sat in eighth position in the world with a ranking of 121 – some three points clear of the US sprinter Sahara Sky on 118, who has a ranking of 14 and is rated the second best at the caper in the world.
The world No. 1 is the Japanese middle-distance galloper Just A Way, who was awesome on Dubai World Cup night in March when destroying the Dubai Duty Free (1800m, Group 1, weight-for-age) field. Just A Way’s rating of 130 is the same rating that had Black Caviar in top spot last year.
There is, however, a lack of depth at the top of world racing right now. Lankan Rupee’s 121 rating would have had him ranked 22nd in the world 12 months ago, alongside Australian sprinter Mental and Pierro.
May 2012’s rankings tell a similar story. A rating of 121 would earn a horse a ranking of 22, which is where Atlantic Jewel was placed after a couple of stunning victories at Randwick that autumn.
The British immortal Frankel was the best horse in the world at that point with a rating of 138, Black Caviar second at 130 and the mighty Hay List at equal sixth, with So You Think, at 125.
Sepoy (123), Foxwedge (122) and More Joyous (122) were other Australians to be awarded ratings higher than Lankan Rupee’s current mark of 121.
These comparisons serve as a reality check for anyone wanting to place Lankan Rupee in the grade that would test Black Caviar. Only the likes of Todman, Vain and Manikato belong in that group.
I have Lankan Rupee at a very similar level to a five- or six-year-old Hay List.
I think the Hay List that was beaten three lengths as a five-year-old in that famous 2011 TJ Smith would probably beat Lankan Rupee right now. Hay List showed brilliant acceleration to have Black Caviar under rare pressure. In the end, Hay List beat third by five lengths but was beaten by three himself.
Hay List then won the All Aged (1400m, Group 1, weight-for-age) by nearly four lengths to showcase his quality at the sprint-mile caper.
His next start was in the 2011 BTC Cup (1200m, Group 1, weight-for-age) in Brisbane and Hay List ran Black Caviar to two lengths while beating Buffering by almost five. In a race with the same conditions, Lankan Rupee had Buffering – much better in 2014 than 2011 – beaten by two lengths on Saturday.
Then there was Hay List’s Newmarket (1200m, Group 1, handicap) in 2012 when he carried 58.5kgs – four kilos more than Buffering – to a nose victory over the Queenslander.
Lankan Rupee’s 2014 Newmarket with 56.5kgs was far more destructive, taking the Victorian to the top of world sprinting. But Hay List beat a much better field (Foxwedge was a close third) carrying the biggest weight to Newmarket success since 1959.
It’s fantastic to know that Australian racing is home to the world’s best sprinter again. As an industry that prides itself on sprint racing, it’s important we do it well.
But it is equally disappointing to hear trainer Mick Price say that he wants to keep Lankan Rupee racing in Australia. There will be no Royal Ascot trip this year, if at all. I wouldn’t be counting on a trip to Hong Kong in December either.
Lankan Rupee will spell now. He’ll return in the Melbourne spring to be set for races like the Manikato (1200m, Group 1, weight-for-age) on Cox Plate eve and the VRC Sprint Classic (1200m, Group 1, weight-for-age) on the final day of Melbourne Cup week.
The intention is to have Lankan Rupee at his top – a level I believe he is yet to reach – for as long as possible and to maximise the prize-money he earns on the track.
In that sense, we are lucky the TJ Smith is the richest sprint in the world. With some luck, Lankan Rupee may run in four or five.
And, after his brilliant display on Saturday, that’s sure to be exciting.
Bondy
Guest
Thanks Kv interesting, I agree with Schofield's tactics here just come out swinging at her from the jump and she punched him to the canvas again . (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW6r-_OJ45Q). Poor little Temple of Boom's been beaten about 11 lengths .
kv joef
Guest
the international rankings for 2007 - MISS ANDRETTI's big year - she offically rated 120. she was rated equal best turf sprinter but equal second to U.S. dirt horse Midnight Lute. http://www.ifhaonline.org/resources/2007Rankings/2007_WorldRankings.asp in 2012 .... Hay List rated 125 / Black Caviar rated 130. http://www.ifhaonline.org/resources/2012Rankings/2012_WorldRankings.asp In 2011 Black Caviar rated 132 - Hay List 122 ... http://www.ifhaonline.org/resources/2011Rankings/2011_WorldRankings.asp Officially the world's top handicappers never rated Miss Andretti over Hay List at any stage when they made the world rankings ... ... research mark research ...
Bondy
Guest
I'd love Dom Beirne to come and sought this out, I'm going to try and contact him tomorrow, Mark may have a point. Hay List's New Market win (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS2Ufum51PI). Miss Andretti's Patinack win beating the likes of Stanzout and Swick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wEa2_gR4a8) Miss Andretti's King Stand win 2007's win beating Magnus " who I have a query over" and Takeover Target 4'th (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odI2pmzwNn0) I called Mark a goose but I think I may be the goose. What do you think Cam ,Hay List over Miss Andretti ?.
Aransan
Guest
Mark, Hay List won the 2012 Newmarket Handicap carrying 58.5kg, only an outstanding sprinter is given such a weight and it was a fantastic effort to win the race. Hay List had the misfortune to be racing in the same era as the once in a life time sprinter Black Caviar, he ran second to BC in the 2011 and 2012 Lightning stakes, the 2012 running being particularly notable for BC having to break 10 seconds for 200m in order to triumph, there were 3.8 lengths to the third horse and both BC and HL were eased down on the line when the outcome was certain. Another notable race was the 2011 T. J. Smith when HL ran second to BC with 5 lengths to the third horse. These were outstanding performances over two years let alone 5 minutes. Only Rip Van Winkle could have missed these performances by HL.
Bondy
Guest
I disagree with that you dont have to win a race mate to be rated, do me a favour get a form guide study it and grow up.You dont know what your talking about.
Mark from Derby WA
Guest
Oh and by the way Justin. I don't think Buffering is worth mentioning as the same article as Frankel or Black Caviar. Buffering ain't no Manikato. Buffering has never won a race by over 3 lengths or ran a decant time. Research mate research. Forget about the 20 bucks you won on him.
Mark from Derby WA
Guest
Justiin, are you for real! Hay List was good for about five minutes. Name one good sprinter who Hay List beat? I'm from WA and I love WA sprinters. Maybe your article should have read. Lankan Rupee no Miss Andretti yet. Here is a tip. Do your research first before you get the inclination to write something. Hay List will always be remembered as a CRAB.
moses the 9th
Guest
Lankan rupee is better then haylist
Aransan
Guest
Black Caviar is a sprinter one would only expect to see once in a lifetime, you don't usually see two such horses race a few years apart. I still believe Lankan Rupee is likely to be the best sprinter in the world at the moment, it would be terrific if he was given the opportunity to show it otherwise we will have no basis for our belief.
Phil McGrawhan
Guest
I think Lankan Rupee is a better horse than Hay List, he had to peak twice in 6 weeks or so to win the TJ, I think he would've pushed the great mare, they have very similar race patterns as well.
E-Meter
Guest
Yep, so Lankan Rupee would have beaten them by more!!
Bondy
Guest
I've just had visions of McCririck in budgie smugglers on Bondi beach its not nice .(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-2293860/John-McCririck-released-hospital.html). Lol
Margaret Allen
Guest
I think your analysis was spot on, Justin. I think Hay List's win in the Newmarket was simply outstanding, especially given he was found later to have a big wad of turf lodged painfully in his hoof. How he managed to hold off Buffering under those circumstances, especially given the difference in weight, will always be a source of wonder to me. Just a horse with a great heart, who kept overcoming near-impossible obstacles until his operations gave him that nerve damage and resultant breathing problem. Looks like he is happily retired now with the McNairs, as he deserves to be. I wish similar good fortune ulltimately for the very exciting Lankan Rupee - but not for a while yet, hopefully! I guess we all hope that Mick Price is right and we'll be able to watch him for a good few years.
kv joef
Guest
funny you should say that Bondy. just finished an email exchange with a UK friend where he stated that "GLB wasn't the only international" at the meet ... "the fields are full of them" referring to the AU-owned former OS horses. i replied "surely they must be considered expats now? down at bondi in their speedos" ... ... his reply "EXPATS NOTHING!!! YOU STOLE THEM, YOU BUNCH OF (expletive) CONVICTS" :).
Bondy
Guest
Peek Personally I think its a silly old convict grudge we hold with the English, it really is tiresome in a modern Australia.
Justin Cinque
Expert
I can see what you mean... It is a great meeting though. If you like English racing, it means a lot to win any Group 1 over there. As a racing feat, winning in Hong Kong in December or Dubai in March is harder and probably greater than winning a Group 1 sprint at RA.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Interesting you say that about ascot, Justin. I think Australians in General put too much emphasis on beating the poms especially in sprint races which is our strength
Bondy
Guest
I tried to add a further comment I must of just missed the 10 minute cut of point LR parades beautifully in the birdcage placid and ready to roll.
Bondy
Guest
We know why he's not going to Ascot they then cant move him on for $30 mill ,what's he worth now ? $4-5 mill ,you have to retrieve it in prize money not in the breeding barn. In watching Retro yesterday I back Gerald's "Ryan" call to the hilt and as he suggested he's the only horse LR he's dodged with a horse ever,most would no Gerald s demeaner and he doesn't make statements like that, he would've really given BC a run for her money despite what figures suggest. If LR received good to dead ground the margin could've been greater I believe,frightening. I'm just reassessing Lankan's form and Knoydart and Spirit of Boom continue to fill placings behind him which would make a mockery of him being competitive with BC. I appear confused at least I'll admit it. Justin makes the valid point that he's still on an upward spiral taking his International raking of 121 and putting it against Sepoy's 123 and Foxwedge's 122 "the perennial place getter is that the one I know" ? you could start both beasts at the 900 metres at Lankan would still kick them both to death over 1200. I am suspicious or International ratings/rankings. I'll just make the point both Messene and to a lesser extent Weary were favourites for the Doncaster weeks out by the bagmen albeit the ground was rain affected but didn't really fire a yelp apart from Weary that's why they're "the bagmen' are living in Bellevue Hill and punters are in housing commission in Cabramatta or Fairfield, dont trust bookmakers is the point. The unfortunate thing is that weather wise its forecasted to be just like last week overcast and showers throughout the week hopefully not .
kv joef
Guest
It must be remembered that official ratings are given in their pet distance range - sprinter/miler/intermediate/stayer/endurance. Foxwedge attained his rating from his runs against Hay List in the newmarket/william reid. he was a smart horse. ratings reflect speed and the ability to perform under pressure/tempo counting for a lot. he survived Hay List - other than BC, most of Hay List's other opponents didn't. But most of all remember that horses are in their distance range. Remember that Pierro was only a 3yr-old. if he would have continued to improve with maturity there is little doubt his 4yr-old mark would have been quite high. E.G. in a match race between Foxwedge, More Joyous and Atlantic Jewel in 3 individual races over 1000m / 1400m / 2000m - these races may v.well produce 3 different winners. this is the point of ratings in a dist. range and why they seem to have a similar mark. currently like justin, i have LR a level under the all-time champions mentioned in the article. i have him with horses like Hay List/ Placid Ark/ Schillaci/ Luskin Star among others but he has to come back in good order to cement his place - gee i hope he does as he is such an equine joy. the days of a don scott style race-rating are long dead. justin hit the mark when he suggested after the stats (time, tempo, pressure, weight etc) and competition quality have been analysed then you begin the search for animals with similar performances. this will give you an idea what the current mark is and their potentiality. I've just received Lankan Rupee's official new mark after the TJ and it is 120 - don't panic there are reasons for this conservative mark that will not be reflected in his international mark and i think you will find Justin's got the right international band around the 124 mark