Francesca Cumani looking forward to returning to Melbourne to be part of ‘the magic of Cup Week
After two years of commentating remotely, Francesca Cumani is galloping back to Australia for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Fiona Byrne
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Glamorous international racing identity Francesca Cumani is galloping back to Australia to be part of this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.
After two years of providing commentary on the Cup runners via Zoom from her UK home, Cumani will be resuming her role as international form expert at Flemington as part of Channel 10’s Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast team.
“After two years of watching from home I am thrilled to be coming back to Flemington for Cup Week,” Cumani said.
“I look forward to working with the VRC and Network 10 to showcase the Melbourne Cup Carnival because it really is one of the biggest weeks on the international racing calendar.
“To have full crowds back on track will be incredible and it’s going to be surreal jumping on the plane and getting back to Australia and experiencing the magic of Cup Week.”
A lot has changed since Cumani was last in Australia in 2019.
She has a new partner, Max Johnson, and the couple welcomed a son, Teddy Johnson, in June.
Cumani also has a son, Harry, from her marriage to Australian horseman Rob Archibald. The couple split in 2018.
Joining the Ten team alongside Cumani will be recently retired champion jockey Glen Boss who won three Melbourne Cups on-board Makybe Diva.
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival is the greatest sporting event in Australia and I can’t wait to work with the VRC and Network 10 to showcase all the racing action across the four days of the carnival,” Boss said.
The 10 Cup broadcast team will be led this year by Eddie McGuire with the team including Michelle Payne, Michael Felgate and David Gately.
Engaged couple Rob Mills and Georgie Tunny will be covering fashion and celebrity action in the famed Flemington Birdcage.
The Melbourne Cup carnival kicks off with the Victoria Derby on Saturday, October 29.
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