Racing Centre

Samurai Way wins The Caplan Gordon Carter Stakes. Picture by Steve Cargill

LUCA CUMANI has given an upbeat bulletin about Samurai Way ahead of this Saturday’s totesport.com Cesarewitch.

The five-year-old entire by Darshaan is vying for favouritism with Fair Along for the second leg of Newmarket’s autumn handicap double.

Cumani’s charge set out his credentials for the 2m 2f marathon when running out a two-and-a-half length winner on his latest start over two furlongs shorter - trip-wise, the furthest he’s been so far - at Ascot in September.

That victory gave a firm indication that Samurai Way is likely to be a major player in the £160,000 Cesarewitch for which he is quoted as 9-2 outright favourite with the race sponsors.

Cumani, who has already landed one famous handicap this year - the Ebor thanks to Purple Moon - said: “Samurai Way is in good form and took his race at Ascot very well. He has worked well since and I am very happy with him.

“I hope the ground will be good or good-to-soft - I would prefer it not to be a slog because we are going two extra furlongs with him.”

Cumani has also given two Group-race entries for this Saturday to his sprint star Balthazaar’s Gift. The four-year-old is in the seven-furlong VC Bet Challenge Stakes and also the Igloos Bentinck Stakes, staged over six furlongs. Stable-mate Pride Of Nation, a Group 3 winner at a mile, also carries an entry for the former race.

No decision has been made yet on which option Hackwood Stakes winner Balthazaar’s Gift will take up and ground is likely to be the determining factor.

Cumani confirmed: “I will run one of the two in the Challenge Stakes - but I’m not sure which one. If it is soft, Pride Of Nation could run in it, in which case Balthazaar’s Gift could go for the Bentinck.

“If it is not soft we will give thought to running Balthazaar’s Gift over seven furlongs, which he last did in the spring at Haydock. But I am pleased with both horses - they are in good form”

By Tony Rushmer