Mick Price has revealed that Lankan Rupee may be looking for a longer trip this campaign and has underlined the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) as a possible target for the champion sprinter.

Lankan Rupee has been a standout for Price throughout his entire racing career so far, but has been plagued by injury through recent seasons and as he has grown older; making only four appearances throughout the last two years.

Believing that the rising eight-year-old might not harbour as lethal a turn of foot as he has previously, Price told Racing Victoria that Lankan Rupee is nearing a racing return and may take a position in the 2017 Memsie Stakes field, should his early runs suggest a step up in distance.

“We’ve  never been to 1400 metres but he’s always had good reserves of stamina on the track and a couple of times in the Manikato and T.J. Smith he was really pressed to win those races and showed plenty of stamina and fight,” Price said.

“He’s on track to run in the 1200-metre Bletchingly in two weeks and then might go to 1400 metres for the first time in the P.B. Lawrence and it leads us beautifully to the Memsie two weeks after that.”

Lankan Rupee completed a barrier trial at Caulfield on Tuesday morning and is ticking over well ahead of the Spring Carnival.

“Craig (Newitt, jockey) was of the opinion that his action was good, which is the main thing,” Price said. “He ran third, beaten three lengths in the quickest heat of the day and he did it pretty well.

“Craig said he hasn’t got the same speed as he had a couple of years ago, which is fine, as the main thing is that he is better in the wind and  is getting fitter.

“He’s going to sit off the speed a bit first-up and I’d say he’ll be working home at them. I don’t reckon he can win first-up but I need to get him going.

“He might take a run or two before he’s got that tough, hard fitness and I’d say he’s had a pretty good prep. I don’t think he has to win first-up at all costs. If he can win that would be great.”

Lankan Rupee has posted eleven wins and a further eight minors through his twenty-six career starts to date, highlighted by five triumphs at Group 1 level.