Trainer Mick Price wants to give top sprinter Lankan Rupee an exhibition gallop at Caulfield on Saturday.

The world's equal highest-rated sprinter is set for a return to racing in the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington on February 21.

Lankan Rupee furthered his preparation for the Lightning with victory in an 800-metre barrier trial at Cranbourne on Monday morning, defeating A Time For Julia and General Truce in 45.94secs.

Price said Lankan Rupee had taken a lot of improvement from a Caulfield jump-out last Tuesday and his recovery after Monday's trial was much better.

"I'll try and get an exhibition gallop for him on Saturday and that will spark him up a bit," Price said.

"I think he's on course. He looks great and his fitness is improving all the time."

Lankan Rupee was one of the first to begin until jockey Dale Smith took a hold and settled him behind the speed before being shaken up over the last 150m to win the trial.

The gelding has been ridden behind the leaders at his past two jump-outs with Price trying to teach the horse a different way of racing.

"I just want to be assured in my own mind that he can be ridden so that his last 400 metres can be his best," Price said.

"There were a couple races where the mid-race sectionals were a bit hot and when you're in the best company it makes it a bit tough."

Price has the Lightning Stakes, the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 14 and the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 4 as prime targets for Lankan Rupee.

Craig Newitt, who won the Manikato Stakes Lankee Rupee, will fly in from Singapore for the Lightning Stakes ride.