Rush for the Cup?
October 17th 2008 04:34
Luca Cumani has reported on a UK interview that he expects a similar outcome with Mad Rush to the close up finish he had with Purple Moon (sixth) in the Caulfield Cup of 2007.
(photo: Daily Telegraph)
To my mind Mad Rush arrives in Australia with equal - if not greater - prospects of success in the Melbourne Spring. Whereas Purple Moon arrived as a horse not long in the care of Luca Cumani, Mad Rush arrives as an improving 4 year old who has been under the care and guidance of Cumani from day one. His ability to race on the speed ideal for Melbourne conditions, and his stamina already evident and proven (this aspect maybe more so important this year in the Melbourne Cup with Aidan O’Brien running Allessandro Volta and Honolulu in addition to favourite Septimus. The pace should be as it is in any race with multiple Ballydoyle entries).
This is the third time that team Cumani (with daughter Francesca in charge in Melbourne until Luca arrives close to the race) have targeted the Spring cups in Melbourne - and the improvement from the first effort with Glistening (10th in the Melbourne Cup) - to last year with Purple Moon and the bravest of seconds - is very evident. They know they require a strong European 2400m horse who is not only and just dour, but one equipped with tactical speed.
"Mad Rush is using the Caulfield Cup as a stepping stone to the Melbourne Cup. He's in good form by all accounts but he's drawn a bit wide (17). But obviously we hope that he has an uncomplicated run and we can finish in the money somewhere." - Luca Cumani.
"He is naturally quite a light, fit, athletic type of horse that doesn't need much work to get himself to his peak. When we left England, he was fit and well and we have kept him ticking over here. I think he is pretty much near his top."
"It does depend on the pace of the race. If it is a very slowly run race then we might struggle because we don't have that finishing kick, where as over two miles his stamina will come into play. The race will have him race fit like it did with Purple Moon last year. I guess probably the extra four furlongs will help him because he has the form over two miles." - Francesca Cumani.
Godolphin are represented by All The Good who was successful in the Ebor Handicap - the race won by Purple Moon before arriving in Melbourne last year - and are also wishing for a run that will indicate strong prospects in the Melbourne Cup.
"All The Good was doing plenty of work in England before he left Newmarket. He had a blow out four days ago and he is in good form, he has been working well. It's a tough race, an Australian Grade One. The Caulfield Cup is always a good race. We need to see how he runs in this before we make a decision about the Melbourne Cup. If he runs well then he will probably go for it. Kerrin (McEvoy) is on him so we'll have no problems with the jockey knowing the track." - trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.
His jockey Kerrin McEvoy is more optimistic about his chances:
"He's had quite an easy season as far as starts but he comes here being a really fresh horse. He felt good the other morning when I rode him and has drawn a nice barrier (eight) as well."
Mad Rush with Damien Oliver aboard
(photo: Daily Telegraph)
To my mind Mad Rush arrives in Australia with equal - if not greater - prospects of success in the Melbourne Spring. Whereas Purple Moon arrived as a horse not long in the care of Luca Cumani, Mad Rush arrives as an improving 4 year old who has been under the care and guidance of Cumani from day one. His ability to race on the speed ideal for Melbourne conditions, and his stamina already evident and proven (this aspect maybe more so important this year in the Melbourne Cup with Aidan O’Brien running Allessandro Volta and Honolulu in addition to favourite Septimus. The pace should be as it is in any race with multiple Ballydoyle entries).
This is the third time that team Cumani (with daughter Francesca in charge in Melbourne until Luca arrives close to the race) have targeted the Spring cups in Melbourne - and the improvement from the first effort with Glistening (10th in the Melbourne Cup) - to last year with Purple Moon and the bravest of seconds - is very evident. They know they require a strong European 2400m horse who is not only and just dour, but one equipped with tactical speed.
"Mad Rush is using the Caulfield Cup as a stepping stone to the Melbourne Cup. He's in good form by all accounts but he's drawn a bit wide (17). But obviously we hope that he has an uncomplicated run and we can finish in the money somewhere." - Luca Cumani.
"He is naturally quite a light, fit, athletic type of horse that doesn't need much work to get himself to his peak. When we left England, he was fit and well and we have kept him ticking over here. I think he is pretty much near his top."
"It does depend on the pace of the race. If it is a very slowly run race then we might struggle because we don't have that finishing kick, where as over two miles his stamina will come into play. The race will have him race fit like it did with Purple Moon last year. I guess probably the extra four furlongs will help him because he has the form over two miles." - Francesca Cumani.
Godolphin are represented by All The Good who was successful in the Ebor Handicap - the race won by Purple Moon before arriving in Melbourne last year - and are also wishing for a run that will indicate strong prospects in the Melbourne Cup.
"All The Good was doing plenty of work in England before he left Newmarket. He had a blow out four days ago and he is in good form, he has been working well. It's a tough race, an Australian Grade One. The Caulfield Cup is always a good race. We need to see how he runs in this before we make a decision about the Melbourne Cup. If he runs well then he will probably go for it. Kerrin (McEvoy) is on him so we'll have no problems with the jockey knowing the track." - trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.
His jockey Kerrin McEvoy is more optimistic about his chances:
"He's had quite an easy season as far as starts but he comes here being a really fresh horse. He felt good the other morning when I rode him and has drawn a nice barrier (eight) as well."
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