Cumani ready for Derby curtain call

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Curtain Call, a 14-1 shot for the premier Classic at Epsom in June, was trained by Jessica Harrington in Ireland last season and won the Group Two Beresford Stakes at The Curragh in September.

But the son of Sadler's Wells was syndicated and switched to Cumani — who also bought into the colt — to tap into the trainer's proven Derby-winning record.

It is 10 years since Cumani won the Derby with High-Rise and 20 since Kahyasi gave him his first success in the race.

The trainer said: 'I haven't pressed any serious buttons yet but we are slowly getting there and I am pleased with what I have seen so far.

'His main Derby trial will be at Lingfield on May 10 and it is possible he will run in the Blue Riband Trial at Nottingham on April 23. We haven't done anything serious but he's certainly an exciting prospect.

'What he did as a two-year-old was excellent because he was not bred to win races over seven furlongs, so he can only get better.'

Thirteen supplementary entries were added to the Derby field yesterday at a cost of £8,000 each. They included the Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over, who was heavily backed for the race on Tuesday.

Those who make the big day will race in front of legendary Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien, who will be the guest of honour at the Classic he won six times.

Meanwhile, Cumani has indicated that a return trip to Australia for his 2007 Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon is not a priority.

He will not run before Royal Ascot and will be aimed thereafter at richly-endowed races overseas. Cumani thinks he will be weighted out of the Melbourne Cup.