Summit Surge (yellow and green silks, near): won Group 2 last time out
PICTURE: Martin LynchCumani plots Million raid with Summit Surge
SUMMIT SURGE could be heading to the US for his next start after trainer Luca Cumani nominated the Grade 1 Arlington Million on August 21 as a likely destination for the six-year-old.
The William Bellew-owned Summit Surge gained his first win for Cumani since his switch from Ger Lyons earlier this year when taking the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes on his first try at 1m2f last month.
Cumani, who won the third running of the Arlington Million in 1983 with Tolomeo, revealed that he had been dying to step Summit Surge up to 1m2f and that the success, coupled with lack of suitable European options, made a trip to Illinois a serious option.
Quoted on his website, Cumani said: "He's unlikely to be an easy horse to place here from now on as there are very few suitable races over this trip - he's probably not up to winning at Group 1 level - and his reliance on very fast ground to show his form means that taking him abroad, certainly once we get into the autumn, isn't going to be an option in Europe.
Mabait: could head to Turkey
PICTURE: John Grossick"The Arlington Million is under consideration as the European Challenge doesn't promise to be very strong at this point and the American challenge might not be either, with Gio Ponti looking more likely at this point to head for the Pacific Classic."
He added: "If Summit Surge looks like he might finish in the first three, the trip promises to be worthwhile."
Cumani also has international plans for another of his stable's rising stars with Mabait being considered for the Topkapi Trophy at Veliefendi in Turkey on September 5.
Mabait, who dead-heated with Rio De La Plata in aListed contest at Pontefract on his latest start, has an alternative option at Salisbury but Cumani said: "The Group 3 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury [on August 12] is a possibility, but more likely is a trip to Turkey for the Topkapi Trophy, which is extremely valuable considering the usual standard of the opposition."
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