Lankan Rupee has drifted from $3.50 to $3.80 after being allocated 56.5kg for the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on 8 March. The Oakleigh Plate winner remains favourite for the race, with Chad Schofield to partner the four-year-old.
“There are questions over whether Lankan Rupee can get a strong 1200 metres under handicap conditions, especially with 56.5kg” said TAB’s Glenn Munsie. “Samaready has been the best backed runner in the last 48 hours with punters taking the lead from Craig Newitt who will ride the mare. She opened $15 in January and is easily our worst way.”
Fontelina (55.5kg) has a great record down the straight at Flemington and is attracting good interest at $18. Last year’s runner-up, Moment of Change, has drifted from $6 to $7 after receiving top weight of 58kg.
Newmarket Handicap – 8/3
$3.80 Lankan Rupee (out from $3.50)
$4.60 Samaready (in from $5)
$5.00 Shamexpress
$6.00 Knoydart
$7.00 Moment of Change (out from $6)
$13 Spirit of Boom
$15 Gregers
$17 Unpretentious
$18 Fontelina
$18 Shamal Wind (in from $21)
$21 Aeronautical (in from $26)
$26 or longer others
T J Smith Stakes – 12/4
$3.50 Zoustar
$4.60 Not Listenin’tome
$6.00 Buffering
$8.00 Samaready
$11.00 Snitzerland
$15.00 Gordon Lord Byron
$15.00 Lankan Rupee
$15.00 Rebel Dane
$15.00 Shamexpress
$26.00 or longer others