Lankan Rupee’s sibling wins barrier trial
A younger half-sister to sprint star Lankan Rupee has won a barrier trial at Cranbourne.
Two-year-old Inspired Estelle stepped out on Monday and after mustering speed to sit on the pace in the 800m trial, she ran home to win by 2-1/4 lengths in the heavy conditions.
By Manhattan Rain out of Estelle Collection, Inspired Estelle finished fourth in a maiden at Kyneton in her only race appearance in January.
Her illustrious elder sibling Lankan Rupee, a five-time Group One winner and the 2013-14 Australian Racehorse of the Year, has been off the scene with injury since the start of last spring.
Group One performers Our Ivanhowe and Noble Protector finished first and second respectively in the opening heat of the morning over 1550m.
Both are entered for Saturday week’s Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane.
The Cranbourne trials were called off after 15 of the 27 scheduled heats because of rain.