Defiant Cumani vows to return as Purple Moon is eclipsed again

There was further international success for Europe in Hong Kong yesterday but for connections of Purple Moon is was another day of frustration.

And Britain could partly lay claim to a winner when South African-trained Eagle Mountain won the Hong Kong Cup for Mike De Kock after being prepared for the race by galloping at Newmarket.
Five European wins at the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita in October was almost bettered when Luca Cumani's Bauer lost out by the minimum margin in last month's Melbourne Cup.

Bauer lost out by a nose Down Under to become Cumani's second successive runner-up in "the race that stops a nation" and the Italian-born Newmarket handler was in Hong Kong to see Purple Moon, his 2007 Melbourne Cup runner-up, get nailed on the line by Doctor Dino.

The French-trained six-year-old was winning the Vase for the second successive time but Richard Gibson's first thoughts were for Cumani. He said: "Before anything, I want to commiserate with Luca Cumani and Purple Moon for the great race they ran."

Cumani, who lifted the Hong Kong Cup with Falbrav in 2003, was not dismayed despite the narrow reverse. He said: "He'll have a break and we'll be back on our travels again next season. It's frustrating, but when the horse runs well I'm always happy.

"He'll be too high in the handicap for the Melbourne Cup now so we'll have to go to Dubai and Japan and back here next year. I'm immensely proud of the horse and very proud to be here for a fantastic occasion."

Owner Craig Bennett, who bought Purple Moon as a three-year-old to go hurdling, is looking forward to watching his globe-trotting star carry on his international career.