Cumani confident for Cup

Perth Turf Talk | Australian Racing | Mon 5 November, 2012

THE money continues to surge for import Mount Athos, with the possibility the Luca Cumani-trained runner could start second favourite in tomorrow's Melbourne Cup.

The avalanche of cash comes on the back of the England-based Italian suggesting his two runners for tomorrow's race, Mount Athos and My Quest For Peace, present him with his best hopes of finally winning the trophy.

He described Mount Athos and My Quest for Peace as ``the two strongest horses that I've brought'', comparing them to Purple Moon who finished second in the 2007 Melbourne Cup.

TAB media manager Adam Hamilton said there had been a concentrated plunge on both Cumani runners, particularly Mount Athos.

``Really spirited move in the past 24 hours on Mount Athos, with the Cumani runner now into $7.50. Americain remains solid at $5, while My Quest For Peace, the other Cumani horse, has firmed from $26 to $21,'' Hamilton said on RSN

My Quest for Peace heads to the Cup after finishing fifth of 18 runners in last month's Caulfield Cup, a result which has pleased Cumani.

Craig puts his weight behind champion
CRAIG Williams says many form pundits will say Dunaden cannot win with his hefty impost in tomorrow's Melbourne Cup, but the premier jockey believes with the right passage in running the weight will not be a factor.

"With the right run and good luck, I don't think the weight will stop him. He's lumping his penalty for being such a good horse," Williams said.

Dunaden will carry 59kg after being penalised for his magnificent Caulfield Cup win, when he gave his rivals windburn with a extraordinary late burst.

He will cart an extra 4.5kg on his back for the famous two-miler this year, but Mikel Delzangles believes the task is not beyond him.

"Having been here last year, we know a little more,'' Delzangles said.

"We know the track, the routine, and many little details which make things easier.

"I think he is better than last year, definitely. But he has to be 4-1/2 kilos better. It is difficult, but you know him, he is always fighting, always trying for the victory."

And if his best is good enough he will leave Melbourne as the winner of more than $10 million, 90 per cent of which will have been collected in just four Australian races.

MUCH-TRAVELLED import Jakkalberry has enjoyed a relatively quiet year in preparation for the Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Marco Botti said connections always had the journey Down Under in mind when they mapped out his schedule for 2012.

"We've kept him relatively fresh for this race. The distance shouldn't be a problem and he's a tremendous traveller,'' Botti said on RSN

Jakkalberry comes into the race on the back of a 13th placing in the Caulfield Cup, a result that may seem disappointing on paper, but not to Botti.

His previous run saw him win at Arlington in the United States over 2716m.

He is one of 13 runners in this year's Cup that are seven years or older.

Both Dunaden and Americain are eight-year-olds, with surprisingly only two four-year-olds entered in this year's event.

Meanwhile, prominent owner Lloyd Williams believes it is the most open Melbourne Cup in years, but hasn't ruled out his pair Green Moon and Mourayan tomorrow.

"We've got them as well conditioned as can be," Williams said on RSN.

"I can't fault them. They should be thereabouts for a long way."

story Herald Sun

0 Comments