Big Orange triumphs again
Michael Bell's star stayer used all of his guts and bravery to hold off his challengers as he made all in Thursday's feature race at Goodwood
THE passport of Big Orange looks set to be given another outing after he demonstrated the best of his battling qualities to record back-to-back victories in the Qatar Goodwood Cup.
After collecting a second successive win in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month, the big-hearted five-year-old mirrored his victory in the Group Two prize of 12 months ago to become the first horse since Double Trigger in 1997 and 1998 to win the race in consecutive seasons.
Despite being faced with the prospect of having to beat off opposition to gain an early lead, the Michael Bell-trained gelding was quickly away from the stalls to adopt his customary front-running role under regular partner Jamie Spencer.
Spencer looked to bring the assured stamina of the well-backed 11-4 favourite into play as he gradually turned the screw from the front before kicking for home inside the final quarter of a mile.
Although Sword Fighter, Pallasator and Wicklow Brave all looked to pose serious threats entering the closing stages, none could match the determined attitude of the winner.
Maintaining his relentless gallop all the way to the line Big Orange continued to pull out more to see off the talented but temperamental Pallasator by a length and a quarter.
Sheikhzayedroad was a further head back in third to fill the same place he did in the Ascot Gold Cup.
Big Orange was cut to 16-1 by Ladbrokes for the Melbourne Cup, in which he was fifth last year.
Bell said: "He is a very brave horse, that gives his all. He has got a very good mind and engine and good limbs as well and that combination is a potent force.
"He won by a couple of lengths today and at Newmarket, whereas last year he won the big races by a neck and half a length, so I would say he has improved.
"He's an enormous horse and big horses tend to mature with age. It's a cliche, but like a fine wine, he's getting better with age. He's just a star to have in the yard, it's lovely to have him.
"He loves this fast ground and he's got such a high cruising speed, an enormous stride and, touch wood, he's a very sound horse."
As regards to his future plans, Bell stressed nothing is set in stone yet, despite making it clear that he would like to take in another trip to Australia for a second shot at the Melbourne Cup.
He added: "Bill is not so keen, Tim (Gredley, owners) is very keen, I'd be quite keen but I think we will have to see what weight he's got before we commit.
"There's other possible targets for him like the Canadian International and the Hong Kong race, but there's a lot to be chewed over and we will enjoy doing it."
A trip to Doncaster looks to be in store for Pallasator according to his trainer Sir Mark Prescott following his game effort in defeat.
He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed watching it as we had this convoluted Prescott plan that came off perfectly.
"I was saying to someone he is like John McEnroe - if you're horrible enough for long enough, but you're good enough, in the end everybody likes you. He's just getting to that stage!
"He will probably head back to Doncaster now. Placing him is not a problem - it's getting the best out of him."
David Simock may give Sheikhzayedroad one more outing on home shores before sending him on his travels once again.
He said: "I'm very happy with him. He's run a lovely race, we've been beaten a length and a quarter.
"He's probably does need things to fall right for him, but at the same time I couldn't be happier with him.
"He will go to Canada. Whether he goes for something before that, I don't know, there are lots of options for him like the Lonsdale Cup and the Doncaster Cup."
