"We're going to go forward. If Froggy [Craig] Newitt wants to get into a speed battle again with us, then bring it on."
Lankan Rupee eye-balled 3-year-old filly Eloping in front first-up in the McEwen Stakes (1000m) from a wide barrier and Angelic Light tracked up behind him before peeling off his back to post a narrow victory.
Trainer Mick Price and Newitt are confident Lankan Rupee has made the necessary improvement and is better suited at 1200m to atone for his shock last-start defeat.
Lankan Rupee, Rebel Dane and Buffering filled the trifecta in the TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney in April when Lankan Rupee was a dominant winner, and they meet again on Friday with Angelic Light and Unpretentious also in the Moir field. Buffering, $5.50 second favourite for the Moir, arrived in Melbourne early on Wednesday and Heathcote is looking forward to the race.
He said the small field would be disappointing for the Moonee Valley Racing Club but meant there were fewer horses for Buffering to beat.
"But the reality is Lankan Rupee is the No1 sprinter in the world for a reason. Experts have rated him the highest ranked sprinter in the world, and for good reason," he said.
Lankan Rupee finished two lengths clear of Buffering in their only clash in the TJ Smith on a heavy track.
"I don't believe Buffering was at his best on a heavy track and I don't believe I had him in the best form of his career," Heathcote said.
"But Mick would probably say the same with Lankan Rupee, that he's not at his best on a heavy track.
"I'm confident going into the race on Friday that I've got Buffering somewhere near his best."
