Cumani Monitors Equine Flu Crisis

Luca Cumani is keeping a careful eye on the equine influenza situation ahead of Purple Moon's proposed trip to Australia.

The Newmarket handler is eyeing a crack at the Emirates Melbourne Cup with the Ebor winner, who is 8-1 favourite with Ladbrokes for the two-mile feature after being handed 53kg (8st 5lb) in the initial handicap.

'I think it is a weight we can work with,' said Cumani.

'At the moment we are just monitoring the situation with the equine flu in Australia.

'It's just whether we can get there and if the race goes ahead, so we are a bit on tenterhooks.'

Purple Moon landed a massive gamble at York and had previously been successful in a decent event at Goodwood.

Cumani plans to bide his time with the four-year-old, who is unlikely to run in Europe ahead of his Australian date.

'The horse has come out of York in good form but he won't have a prep here. I think we will see how he has travelled but we could look at the Caulfield Cup,' the trainer added.

Cumani also has Bauer entered in the Melbourne Cup but he appears unlikely to make the cut.

'I don't think he will get in off his weight of 50 kilos.

'It probably won't be enough which is a shame, as he would have had a good chance,' Cumani concluded.

(C) PA Sport