Trainer Michael Bell has been thrilled with the results posted by Big Orange through his short but impressive racing campaign this year, and is confident the conditions of Tuesday’s featured 2015 Melbourne Cup at Flemington will suit the horse to the ground.
Trainer Michael Bell is confident Big Orange will be perfectly suited to the 2015 Melbourne Cup conditions. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Big Orange has finished outside the first three only a handful of times through thirteen career starts so far, but has undoubtedly found career-best form to date through the five races he has contested in 2015.
Returning for a credible fourth in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes (2696m) on May 8th, Big Orange was unlucky to be checked an hampered for a run late when seventh in the Listed LLP Grand Cup (2816m) but responded in the best way possible when taking out the Group 2 Prince Of Wales’s Arqana Racing Club Stakes (2414m) on July 9th.
Booking his ticket to Australia and the 2015 Melbourne Cup when delivering a talented field defeat in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3200m) on July 30th, the Duke Of Marmalade has not been seen at the races since fading late for seventh in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3299m) on August 21st.
Bell revealed the northern hemisphere four-year-old has taken well to his time in Australia since his arrival and is confident he is ready to fire in the 2015 Melbourne Cup first-up on Tuesday afternoon.
“He’s a happy horse,” Bell said.
“He gets two miles, he goes left-handed, he likes fast ground. He ticks a lot of the boxes.”
Big Orange announced himself to the international racing community via a strong 2014 campaign highlighted by success in each of the Listed Chester Stakes (2686m) and Listed Noel Murless Stakes (2816m) and a credible fifth in the Group 2 Long Distance Cup (3200m) in mid-October.
Charged with overcoming the wide and awkward barrier 23, Big Orange has been confirmed to be partnered by his Goodwood Cup jockey Jamie Spencer and has been charged with carrying a very manageable 55.5kgs.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2015 Melbourne Cup odds, for which Big Orange can be taken at a particularly generous quote of $51 for success or $13.50 to finish in the first three.
Open an account and bet with Ladbrokes.com.au to take advantage of Best Tote or SP plus 20% on the first four races at Flemington on 2015 Melbourne Cup Day!
