O'Brien and Cumani target Melbourne Cup

Aidan O'Brien and Luca Cumani have vowed they will return to Australia for the Melbourne Cup next year after their representatives lost little in defeat behind Efficient on Tuesday.

The winner did not grab Cumani's Purple Moon until the final 50 metres of the race, while Mahler finished third after sitting just outside pacesetter Tungsten Strike, who dropped out to finish last.

Cumani admitted having his heart in his mouth when Purple Moon hit the front and, despite feeling slightly disappointed immediately after the race, said he would be back next year - although perhaps not with Purple Moon.

"You don't get rid of me as quickly as that," Cumani said.

"It was a fantastic race. I'm so pleased. It looked like he was going to win but he got run down."

Cumani paid tribute to the ride of Damien Oliver, who was also second aboard Pop Rock in last year's Cup.

"He had him beautifully positioned from the start," Cumani said.

O'Brien, who did not see Yeats run in the 2006 Cup, said Mahler ran "a very brave race".

"He looks that type that will appreciate running further," the Ballydoyle maestro said.

O'Brien intimated Septimus was one stayer who could be set for a Melbourne Cup campaign next year.

"Septimus is a very good stayer," he added.

"He'll probably come down here with top weight but he would be a possibility if he was in good shape next year."

Coolmore Australia chief Tom Magnier said his organisation would come back even wiser next year.

He said: "Last year they were so looking forward to it, now they're going 'listen, how many horses are we going to send down next year?'

"We're looking at all the races down here at the moment. That's the plan.

"Aidan is seriously impressed by the whole plan down here. We're going to look at all the races then make a decision when we get back."