Cumani still Bullish about Colori

Luca Cumani expects a much better performance from Le Vie Dei Colori in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes following an unsuccessful trip to France last weekend.

The four-year-old managed only eighth place in the Prix du Moulin, having caught the eye on his debut for Cumani when third to Soviet Song in the Sussex Stakes.

“There was no pace at all on Sunday, despite what I read in the report of the race. They covered the first five furlongs in a minute and four seconds, which was no good to him at all,” the Bedford Lodge handler said today.

“He then got boxed right in and had no room at all when the pace suddenly quickened.

“Obviously I was disappointed with the result, but pleased in the sense that the horse had no sort of race and I know he is better than that form.

“Providing he comes out of the race OK, which he certainly ought to, then we will look at the QEII for him (at Ascot on September 25), and I still think he is a smart horse.”

The Efisio colt was a Group One winner in his native Italy last year, when he saw off his now stablemate Salselon plus British raiders Blatant, Gateman and Passing Glance in the Premio Vittorio di Capua in Milan.