Trainer Mick Price says Lankan Rupee's spring program remains intact despite his stable star's shock defeat in the McEwen Stakes.

The world's highest ranked sprinter was claimed by Angelic Light in Saturday's Group Two 1000m race to go down by a short head.

It was his first defeat since he finished third at the same track in October last year.

Price said there were no issues with Lankan Rupee on Sunday and he would head back to the Valley for the Group One Moir Stakes (1200m) on September 26 when he will again meet the Robbie Griffiths-trained Angelic Light.

"It's onwards and upwards. He's pulled up really well," Price told Melbourne radio station RSN.

"He trotted up good this morning in front of the vet and ate up well.

"I actually think he's better on other courses.

"In his three starts at Moonee Valley he's won one and just been beaten in the other couple.

"Moonee Valley is OK for him but I just think the right things have to happen for him.

"He's not a horse that you can burn the first half-mile (800m) and then expect him to kick off that, which is what we saw yesterday."

"He's best suited to Group One sprints over 1200 metres and the way things work out the next two are at Moonee Valley."

After the Moir, Lankan Rupee will contest the Manikato Stakes and the VRC Sprint before heading to Hong Kong for the International meeting in December.

Lankan Rupee earned his world ranking for his three autumn Group One wins in the Oakleigh Plate, Newmarket Handicap and the TJ Smith Stakes.

He is scheduled to meet Europe's best sprinter Slade Power in the VRC Sprint at Flemington.