Cumani suffers second again with Purple Moon

They say travel broadens the mind, but at this rate it is only going to make Luca Cumani bitter and introspective. After watching Bauer force a photo for the Melbourne Cup last month, yesterday Cumani saw Purple Moon collared in the final stride of the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Purple Moon had himself finished second in the Melbourne Cup, the previous year. Perhaps his trainer will console himself that the horse who caught him this time, Doctor Dino, testifies to the rewards available to those who persevere after the riches available on the international stage. This is perhaps the best-travelled horse in Turf history, having won this prize and an American Grade One in the course of his peregrinations between Dubai, Singapore, Canada and Europe.

Certainly the organisers could hardly have hoped for a more cosmopolitan climax, Doctor Dino being trained in France for Spanish owners by an Englishman, Richard Gibson, and Purple Moon in England by an Italian. Breathing down their necks, moreover, was the Japanese-trained Jaguar Mail.

A purposeful ride from Jamie Spencer had seemed certain to pay off on Purple Moon, who was sent into the lead early in the straight after a steady early pace left his stamina untapped. "We would have preferred a stronger pace," Cumani admitted. "Jamie had a very good position, but it cost him when Douro Valley came up alongside and made him break early. Otherwise he could have saved some energy and defended to the line. It is frustrating, but I am delighted to know that he belongs in this grade. We'll go to the Sheema Classic in Dubai next."

Buccellati ran well for Andrew Balding in sixth, in the process giving his young rider, William Buick, another valuable new experience. They finished one place ahead of the Breeders' Cup Marathon winner, Muhannak, who is probably not so effective on turf.

It is precisely the familiarity of the surface, of course, that makes this carnival so seductive to European raiders. But their champion sprinter, Marchand d'Or, managed only sixth behind the shock winner, Inspiration, in the dash, while Major Cadeaux, Laa Rayb and Pressing were all well beaten by the local hero, Good Ba Ba, in the Mile.

But all time zones come alike to Mike de Kock, who embellished an unprecedented career of global achievement by saddling Eagle Mountain to win the Hong Kong Cup. Run down in the straight by Conduit in the Breeders' Cup Turf, Eagle Mountain proved ideally suited by the return to 10 furlongs and took control of a rough race with a decisive move two furlongs out. Linngari, representing Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore, ended his career with a fine third, but Lush Lashes trailed in last after racing freely. "The most important thing when you travel horses is that they get their heads in the manger," de Kock explained. "And that's what he has done since he stepped off the plane. He's a very resilient horse and the key factor is that his injury last year gave him time to rest. At the end of the year, we have a horse with fresh legs."

Chris McGrath

Nap: Moment Of Clarity (Wolverhampton 5.20)

NB: Messager (Ayr 2.25)

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