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Flemington favourites Francesca Cumani and Glen Boss to join Cup Week line up

11 September 2022 Written by VRC

The Victoria Racing Club and Network 10 today announced international racing commentator Francesca Cumani and three-time Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss will join Network 10’s Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast.

The duo will also participate in a number of VRC events in the lead up to Cup Week including speaking at the exclusive VRC members event, Inside Headquarters.

Both Francesca and Glen have a long and special history with Flemington, with Glen forever associated via his deeds with champion mare Makybe Diva in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and Francesca a regular at Flemington over Cup Week in her role as an expert commentator.

Francesca has had a long standing career in the racing industry, working for her father and successful horse trainer Luca Cumani. Francesca was also the travelling foreman who accompanied international Melbourne Cup placegetters Bauer and Purple Moon during their Melbourne Cup campaigns in 2008 and 2007.

Francesca and Glen will join Network 10’s stellar stable of talent headlining the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival which will include renowned sports personality Eddie McGuire, Lexus Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne, racing expert Michael Felgate,  10 News First reporter Caty Price, Group 1-winning jockey James Winks, form expert David Gately and racing presenter Brittany Taylor.

With a multi-studio set-up across Flemington, viewers will have unprecedented access to jockeys, trainers, owners, celebrities and all the fashions on the field over the four days of the carnival. 

Francesca said she was excited to be returning to Melbourne after two years overseas watching from home.

After two years of watching from home I am thrilled to be coming back to Flemington for Cup Week. 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,” Cumani said.

“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.”

Glen said he was thrilled to be joining the coverage following his retirement from racing earlier this year. 

“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.

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the club was delighted to welcome Francesca and Glen to the Cup Week festivities.

“Both Francesca and Glen have a wonderful history with Flemington and we are delighted to welcome them to the fantastic group of talent presenting the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival coverage,” Mr Wilson said.

“Glen has had an incredible career in racing and holds the Melbourne Cup experience very close to his heart, while Francesca will continue to bring her unmatched knowledge of the sport to people on the track and to those watching at home.”

The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival commences with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 29 October, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on the first Tuesday of November on 1 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 3 November and VRC Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 5 November.