MAD RUSH leaves Newmarket this morning to start his quest to win the Melbourne Cup.

Last year trainer Luca Cumani’s Purple Moon was just pipped by half-a-length into second in the Cup.

This year Mad Rush - a fine second in a French Group 2 last month - is the Italian’s great hope. The Old Newton Cup hero faces an arduous 50-hour journey to Australia for the race which brings the country to a standstill.

Cumani said: “Mad Rush is a mile-and-a-half horse with a kick and that is exactly what you need for the Cup.

“It was galling to go so near with Purple Moon last year as it looked as though he was going to win.”

Today Purple Moon runs for the first time since his Melbourne heart-ache at Goodwood.

Cumani added: “Purple Moon will definitely need the race and his target this autumn could be one of the big races in Hong Kong.

“He has been off for seven months and I’m also slightly worried as he needs fast ground.”

Purple Moon faces a tough task today as Henry Cecil runs both Many Volumes and Tranquil Tiger. Godolphin have won four of the last five runnings of this race and saddle Meydan City.