English Eyes On The Cox Plate

Master English trainer Luca Cumani has his sights set on the Sportingbet Cox Plate.

Luca Cumai is hoping to chase his first Cox Plate this year with globe trotting horse Afsare.

Afsare is a seasoned traveller, during his astute career he has raced in Turkey, Italy, England and the United States.

Luca Cumani has told the Herald Sun Afsare is an ideal horse for the Cox Plate.

"I've been thinking about the Cox Plate for some time purely because he has a tremendous turn of foot," Cumani said to heraldsun.com.au.

"He can accelerate very, very quickly and that's what you need at Moonee Valley.

"There is no point having a horse that takes a while to accelerate because the race is over before the horse begins his acceleration.

"Afsare is a horse that can accelerate providing he gets a good draw and a good position in the race."

Afsare finished a luckless second behind Iron Mike last Saturday in the Arlington Million in Chicago.