Jamie Spencer on Big Orange (right) wins the Qatar Goodwood Cup. Right: The Qatar Goodwood Cup winner Big Orange owner receives trophy from Hamad Abdurahman al-Attiyah. (PICTURES: Reuters/Juhaim)
By Chris Hoover/Chichester, England
Michael Bell trained Big Orange stayed on gamely under Jamie Spencer to repel Quest For More and Ascot Gold Cup hero Trip To Paris by a neck and a short-head to win the Qatar Goodwood Cup, the feature event of the Qatar Goodwood Festival at the Goodwood Racecourse yesterday.
Vive Ma Fille set the early pace under Silvestre de Sousa with the Big Orange settled on her heels while Quest For More sat handy in third.
The former was still in front with three-quarters of a mile to run with the field stretched out behind, but Big Orange was poised to challenge on the outside along with Quest For More.
Vive Ma Fille’s run eventually came to an end with around a furlong to run, leaving Big Orange and Quest For More in the front rank and looking likely to battle it out.
However, Trip To Paris launched a late lunge on the inside making it a pulsating three-way finish, with Big Orange seemingly headed only to battle back in the shadow of the post.
The three flashed over the line together, with Big Orange shading it by a neck for Spencer with Quest For More in second, a short head in front of Trip To Paris, who ran blinder under his penalty.
Trainer Bell has his sights set firmly on the Melbourne Cup following Big Orange’s thrilling victory. “It was thrilling to be involved in a race like that,” said Bell. “All three horses deserve great credit, especially Trip To Paris with his penalty. Big Orange is an absolute star - he is so genuine and a pleasure to train - and I can’t sing his praises highly enough.”
“He was officially the highest-rated horse in the race so, if he stayed, he could win it and Jamie gave him an absolutely masterful ride. He got a breather into him and it was a very good ride on a very good horse.
“Owner Bill Gredley is so enthusiastic and he knows his horses inside out. When you breed them, I think it is extra special - any owner-breeder knows that, when they welcome the horses that they have raised at home, it makes it extra special.
“Melbourne is very much the plan for Big Orange. We know he stays the trip now, which we always thought he would, he has got the boot to win a Group II over a mile and a half and he goes on any ground. I would say he ticks a lot of the boxes.
“The Grand Prix de Deauville was the plan after this but he has had a hard race today, so we will have to see how he is. The Lonsdale Cup at York is also an option because he has no penalty in that.”
Spencer added: “He is very tough, honest and loves the ground. Silvestre (de Sousa, rider of Vive Ma Fille) was frightening me a bit early doors because he stopped behind me and rushed up my inner - this fella is fairly reactive so he never let go of his bit until near the mile pole. I was worried that he was expanding too much energy early in the race but he was fairly tough when I needed him to be.
“There was obviously a doubt over him staying two miles. He is out of a Fasliyev mare who was all speed, but the Duke Of Marmalade’s seem to be doing well with time. He has kept improving - he is just a big oaf and he will only get stronger as the year goes on.”
