Travelling to the other side of the planet to compete in one of the most famous races out there is one thing, but to be only just beaten borders on heart-breaking.
Travelling to the other side of the planet to compete in one of the most famous races out there is one thing, but to be only just beaten borders on heart-breaking.
Still, the people connected with Purple Moon have had plenty of time to think of what might have been and look forward with their boy as he returns to competitive action this afternoon for the first time since his disappointment in last year's Melbourne Cup in the Foundation Stakes at Goodwood.
The five-year-old enjoyed a lucrative campaign last season, winning the Ebor at York before heading Down Under to contest the "race that stops a nation". Having first finished sixth in the Caulfield Cup, he was beaten just half a length in the big race in November and trainer Luca Cumani believes he will benefit from the outing today.
"Purple Moon has had a long time off, and a mile and a quarter will be a little bit short for him, but it is a good starting point," said Cumani. "He was never going to go for the Melbourne Cup again this year and the long-term plan is to go for Group races around the world over a mile and a half.
"His main requirement is fast ground, so wherever we can find that, he could go. There is a possibility he could go to Milan for a Group 1 in October and there are plenty of options."
Purple Moon faces six rivals in the Listed contest this afternoon, including Henry Cecil's pair Many Volumes and Tranquil Tiger.
Looking further ahead, Jane Chapple-Hyam is hopeful Patrician's Glory can make his presence felt in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot this weekend.
The juvenile sprang a surprise when making a winning debut at Newbury in July but showed that effort to be no fluke when beaten just three-quarters of a length into third by Sri Putra in the Solario Stakes at Sandown.
Another crack at Group company is now on the cards for the son of Proud Citizen, and Chapple-Hyam believes he has improved again since his latest effort. "The horse is on target for the weekend and he is in very good order," said the trainer. "We were happy with his run at Sandown, he has had a nice break since then and we think he has come on for that run.
"I'm hoping the track is good, as there was cut in the ground on his debut and it was quite dead at Sandown, and, as he is by Proud Citizen, he should be better again on a sound surface. I am looking forward to the race."
Roger Charlton has supplemented Cityscape for the Group 2. He chased home Almiqdaad on his debut, who is also engaged in this weekend's race, and ran out an impressive nine-length winner of a Salisbury maiden earlier this month.
Back with Cumani, he claims a place may be the best he can hope for with Fantasia as she lines up in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile at Ascot on Saturday. She is unbeaten in two starts and was impressive in a Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood last time. However, she is set to face Rainbow View at the weekend and Cumani said: "Fantasia is very well but the John Gosden filly looks unbeatable."
