Cumani: Purple Moon must improve

Luca Cumani is under no illusions about the task facing Purple Moon when he lines up in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba this weekend.

Cumani arrived in Dubai on Sunday morning to see his daughter Francesca put the six-year-old through a light piece of work alongside stablemate and Dubai Duty Free candidate Presvis.

While he was pleased with what he saw from the Hong Kong Vase runner-up, Cumani is well aware Purple Moon will need to improve on his recent fourth in the Group Two Dubai City of Gold with all three that finished ahead of him that day set to reoppose this weekend.

“The horse is well, he has come on from his prep race on Super Thursday and we hope he runs a better race than he did then,” Cumani said.

“I’m sure he will. But it’s a tough race so we will just have to see how it goes.

“I am very happy with both horses, but whether they are good enough on the day remains to be seen. We will need luck in running.”