Star sprinter Lankan Rupee is on target for a Group One return in the Lightning Stakes after impressing trainer Mick Price in a jump-out at Caulfield.

Lankan Rupee sat behind horses in Tuesday's jump-out before powering to the lead midway through the 800-metre heat to win in smart time.

Price wants to change the way Lankan Rupee races to ensure the five-year-old isn't left vulnerable at the finish.

"I thought he went super," Price said.

Lankan Rupee is likely to barrier trial at Cranbourne on Monday before returning in the Lightning (1000m) at Flemington later this month.

Lankan Rupee finished 2014 as the equal highest-rated sprinter in the world alongside Terravista.

He won the Manikato Stakes during the spring with sustained speed but was chased down in the Darley Classic at Flemington in November, finishing third behind Terravista and Chautauqua.

Lankan Rupee is set to meet that pair in the Newmarket Handicap in the second run of his campaign before heading to the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick, but Price is considering different tactics this time.

"I sort of look back to the Oakleigh Plate where we came back off the speed a bit (and won)," Price said.

"Those big-gun horses - Terravista, Chautauqua - I don't really want to be the bunny for them."

Price acknowledged Lankan Rupee was a speed horse but thinks he could be best suited in the big sprints this year by being a little more conservative early and have his last 400-metre sectional as his best.

Dale Smith rode Lankan Rupee in the jump-out but Singapore-based Craig Newitt is due to make the trip back to continue his association with the sprinter.