Cumani needs luck to see best hope Bauer in Melbourne Cup
Published:Trainer Luca Cumani will be hoping for some major good fortune in the coming days as five late withdrawals are required to find a spot for Bauer in the Melbourne Cup field.
Cumani has come tremendously close to winning the Melbourne Cup for the first time on two occasions in the past, with Purple Moon finishing second in 2007 and then Bauer occupying the same position 12 months later.
The trainer currently has four horses entered into the 2m Group One contest, with Bauer arguably representing his best chance of victory.
However, with the limit being 24 runners for the Melbourne Cup, Bauer is currently outside the cut-off point at 29.
Cumani can improve this situation to a small degree by withdrawing Sahara Sun, who disappointed on his latest start.
But it is unlikely that the enigmatic Drunken Sailor and Manighar will also be taken out.
Cumani said: “Bauer has got history with the Melbourne Cup. We know he likes Flemington and I think he’d be our best chance if he gets in.
“He went within a pixel of winning three years ago and with a bit of luck he would have won it. I feel he’s in the same shape as he was.”
Bauer was also forced to miss the race last year because of a problem with his hoof and has been improving with each race in his build up this season, most recently when finishing third in the Geelong Cup.
The Melbourne Cup odds have Bauer rated as a 16/1 chance, with this year’s Ascot Gold Cup fourth Manighar at 25/1 and Drunken Sailor a big each-way price at 33/1 if he is sharpened up by the use of blinkers.
