Moon Is Melbourne Possible

Luca Cumani suggested the Melbourne Cup as an intriguing option for Purple Moon after the failed jumping prospect proved a different proposition on the level at Glorious Goodwood.

Craig Bennett paid 440,000 guineas for Purple Moon at auction and sent him to Nicky Richards to go hurdling, where he failed to take brilliantly to the game.

However, he has flourished in the care of his new trainer and, well-backed into 11-2, he captured the Coutts Glorious Stakes by and easy two and a half lengths under Jamie Spencer.

Post-race talk was of the totesport Ebor, but Cumani replied:

'It makes sense to stick to Group races and he could go for the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury and then to Australia for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

'However, if Craig wants to go for the Ebor, we will take that route.'

Cashmans make him 14-1 for the Melbourne Cup.

Jeremy Noseda and his illustrious band of owners The Searchers enjoyed their second big juvenile success of the meeting through Strike The Deal.

On Tuesday, the team's filly Fleeting Spirit just sneaked home in the Betfair Molecomb Stakes but Strike The Deal was slightly more impressive victory in the Group Two Richmond Stakes.

British Horseracing Authority chairman Paul Roy is involved in the syndicate and was on hand to watch Eddie Ahern squeeze the 7-1 shot into contention inside the final furlong to overhaul the game Fat Boy by a length and a quarter.

Noseda said: 'When he ran in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot he raced too keenly and on his last run (in the Prix Robert Papin) we were trying to hold him up but he just got too far back.

'We will have a look at the Prix Morny now.'

George Baker added a first Group race and Glorious Goodwood winner to his CV by producing Wake Up Maggie (11-1) just in time for the Oak Tree Stakes.

Chris Wall's filly appeared late on the scene to foil 100-30 favourite Costume.

'That was a typical confident George ride, as she must not hit the front too soon,' said Wall.

'She just didn't travel in Ireland last time but I thought she had it all to do. The Hungerford Stakes would be a thought now and perhaps the Prix de la Foret comes into the equation.'

Coasting (10-1) found Royal Ascot too tough but stepped down in class for the Royal & SunAlliance Nursery, zipping four lengths clear for the local team of Amanda Perrett and Jim Crowley.

Philip Robinson grabbed a quick double, the best of which came when he powered the progressive 7-2 favourite Marozi down the centre of the track in the TurfTV Stakes.

Trainer Michael Jarvis said: 'He could go for a Listed race towards the end of the season but will hopefully be a Group horse next year.'

Robinson produced a similar ride in the Turf Club Stewards' Sprint Stakes abroad Clive Cox's rejuvenated Pearly Wey (8-1).

(C) PA Sport