Cumani Means Cup Business
Wednesday, 22 October 2008:  | | Luca Cumani |
The Newmarket trainer was thrilled with the luckless fourth of Mad Rush in last Saturday's Caulfield Cup, and now looks to have added a second Cup string to his bow with Bauer's big win.
Jockey Damien Oliver settled the lightly-raced grey midfield and was happy to sit three wide with cover.
The race was run at a genuine clip as horses jostled up front for positions but Oliver bided his time before quickly putting his mount in the firing line around the bend.
Soon after straightening, Bauer was the horse to be on as he quickly lengthened stride and ran away.
Moatize ran on well for second, just ahead of Magic Instinct, while favourite Light Vision, who had a fairly tough run up on the speed, was game in defeat with his big weight and finished fourth.
Bauer was 43rd in order of entry for the Melbourne Cup prior to the win but a probably re-handicap should see him elevated into the line-up. He currently has just 51kg but more than likely needs a 1.5kg penalty to make the field.
Last year's winner The Fuzz received only 1kg penalty but another European winner, Media Puzzle, was handed 1.5kg extra.
Oliver is expected to ride Mad Rush in the Cup so connections of Bauer will be on the lookout for a light-weight, and the ride comes highly recommended from the winning jockey.
It was a good effort, Oliver said. He travelled sweetly for me before I put him into the race and gave him his chance. He was there early but he lengthened well so I kept something in the tank for the Cup.
I think both (Cumani runners) will run good races. They're both very good stayers and have been well looked after coming into their Australian campaigns.
On hand in Australia is Francesca Cumani, Luca's daughter, who said it was a relief to land their first Australian winner.
Cumani had two runners, Soulacroix and Glistening, run over the 2006 spring carnival before bringing Purple Moon out last year to see him run sixth in the Caulfield Cup then runner-up in the Melbourne Cup.
Mad Rush ran an excellent fourth in last Saturday's Caulfield Cup but today's win was the stable's first timely success here.
It's such a relief, Francesca said following the race. We've learned a lot over the last three years but this being our first winner it's a big thrill.
Bauer moved to a $17.00 chance for the Melbourne Cup with Sportingbet following the win, while Mad Rush remains second favourite at $6.00 behind another English galloper Septimus at $5.00.
Both the winner and third placed Magic Instinct are owned and race in the colours of Terry Henderson's and Simon O'Donnell's OTI Racing syndicate.
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