The Michael Bell- trained Big Orange (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) will bid to book his ticket to the G1 Melbourne Cup when he tackles the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York's Ebor meeting Aug. 21. The 4-year-old has been a big improver this season and, after a shock win in the G2 Prince Of Wales's S. at Newmarket in July, he proved that was no fluke when battling to a gutsy success in the G2 Goodwood Cup over the Melbourne Cup trip of 3200 meters.
“Plan A is the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York, where he escapes a penalty for a Group 2 and then, subject to his well-being, he'll go into quarantine for a trip to Australia,” Bell confirmed.
The conditioner is not overly surprised Big Orange has upped his game this season and the Newmarket trainer feels the horse has the right profile for 'the Race that Stops a Nation,' with perhaps the long journey being the only unknown quantity.
“He always threatened to improve as he's so big,” Bell offered. “We don't know how he'll handle the traveling, as he hasn't done a lot. He can get a bit agitated in his stable but he's basically a Christian of a horse.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
