Champion sire Redoute’s Choice took over at the top of the Australian sires’ premiership after his world-class sprinter Lankan Rupee won the G1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Lankan Rupee (4g Redoute’s Choice – Estelle Collection by Stravinsky) collected $1.57 million after demoralising the best sprinters in training at The Championships.  A homebred for Muzaffar Yaseen, he jumped straight to the lead and accelerated in the straight like he was racing on a Good 3 instead of a Heavy 9.

“It wasn’t our plan to lead Buffering but Craig (Newitt) knew he had the horse underneath him,” trainer Mick Price said.  “Craig has come of age and so has this horse.  He’s the best I’ve trained.”

Ranked the world’s top sprinter last week after Group 1 victories in the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Hcp, Lankan Rupee staked his claim for Horse of the Year honours with a powerhouse victory at his first start outside Melbourne.

The T J Smith prizemoney sent Arrowfield Stud champion Redoute’s Choice to the top of the 2013-14 Australian Sires’ premiership with $8.76 million.  His son Snitzel is next best on $8.25 million after leading the ladder since October.

Redoute’s Choice has now sired three winners of the T J Smith following Melito (2010) and Master of Design (2012).  He is also gunning for a third Australian sires’ crown after priors in 2006 and 2010.

Redoute’s Choice sired a second stakes winner on Saturday – his 112th – when Tango’s Daughter claimed the LR Nitschke Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville.

LANKAN RUPEE