Arlington Million runner-up Afsare could be part of trainer Luca Cumani’s Australian spring team.
Afsare is in the frame for a Cox Plate start, bringing to four the number of horses Cumani is expected to travel to Melbourne.
The long journey should pose no problems for the five-year-old, who had competed in Italy and Turkey before his outing in this month’s Arlington Million, when he was an unfortunate and fast-finishing second to Iron Mike.
Following Afsare will be at least two and perhaps three challengers for the Melbourne Cup, a race the Newmarket trainer is keen to win after several close shaves.
“In theory Afsare will go out for the Cox Plate, and Mount Athos and Quest For Peace are exciting horses for the Melbourne Cup,” said Cumani’s wife, Sara.
“They will go into quarantine on September 6 and Ibicenco will probably go too, although he’s not doing what we hoped at the moment.”
