Caulfield trainer Mick Price has confirmed that Oakleigh Plate winner Lankan Rupee will run in the Group 1 $1 million Newmarket Handicap. He has also broken the news gun young rider Chad Schofield will take the ride in the million-dollar dash, reports Racing Network.
The famous run down the straight-six 1200-metre course at Flemington will be run on March 8.
Price also said he was now likely to run both Lankan Rupeeand gun mare Samaready in the Newmarket, which means both horses will miss the Group 1 $400,000 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 21.
“They will run in the Newmarket then get ready to go to Sydney for the T.J. Smith,” Price told RN this morning.
Chad Schofield was shocked to learn he had picked up the ride on Lankan Rupee.
"I can't believe it, it's amazing," he said. "I'm very privileged to be riding the Newmarket favourite - I hope I do it justice," he said on learning of his booking.
Schofdield has ridden just one horse for the Teeley Assets Ltd Syndicate, which race Lankan Rupee and many other horsesd.
It was a horse called Brand New Choice who won at Moonee Valley last June.