Cumani excited by Bauer's return

Bauer is to return from a long-term injury when he runs in Thursday’s ‘Persian Punch’.

Luca Cumani’s seven-year-old will take his place in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing ‘Persian Punch’ Conditions Stakes at Salisbury and the Italian trainer is glad that he is ready for a comeback, having not raced for two years.

He has been off the track since losing out to Viewed in the 2008 Melbourne Cup at Flemington and Thursday’s race marks the first step as he looks, with caution, for a return to the top.

"He's been off the track for nearly two years with a leg problem and we're pleased to see him back," Cumani was quoted as saying by the Press Association.

"I'm happy with his work but I think he'll need the race on Thursday.

"We're not thinking about Melbourne again just yet. We need to see a couple of runs and see what kind of form he's getting into before we can be that ambitious."