Lankan Rupee storms to victory in Black Caviar Lightning Stakes

Lankan Rupee put in a scintillating performance to take out the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington by more than three lengths.

The five-year-old was never in doubt after moving into the lead just 300 metres into the race ahead of closest rivals Deep Field and Brazen Beau.

Today's win all but confirmed Lankan Rupee's status as the premiere sprinter as he cruised to the $500,000 victory, without any real challenge.

Trainer Mick Price heaped praise on jockey Craig Newitt who left favourite Deep Field in his wake with an explosive ride.

“It was a beautiful ride – Froggy [Newitt] wanted to tag Deep Field like that if he could have and it worked out really well for him,” Price said after the race.

“I thought Brazen Beau might have been the blow-out horse and I thought we had the race worked out OK, but sometimes it’s not just a two horse race.”

Lankan Rupee will return to Flemington next month to compete in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap ahead of the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.