Big Orange’s historic bid falls short

Tom Walter - Wednesday August 2

A gallant Big Orange was denied a history-making third consecutive Group I Goodwood Cup (2m) by the John Gosden-trained three-year-old Stradivarius at Glorious Goodwood overnight.

Stradivarius defeats Big Orange in the 2017 Goodwood Cup. Photo: Racing Post

After taking up his customary position in the lead for Frankie Dettori, Big Orange appeared to be in control of the marathon contest but simply had no answer to the finishing burst of Stradivarius, which was promptly elevated to favouritism for next month's Group I St Leger Stakes (1m 6f 132y) at Doncaster.

"He's run a huge race and I'm very proud of him," Big Orange's trainer Michael Bell told the Racing Post.

"Of course there's a sense of disappointment because we wanted him to win, but equally he's run his heart out so you can't be disappointed with the way he's run.

"Giving weight away on ground that wasn't perfect for him wasn't ideal, but he's run a great race in defeat.

"I'm very proud of how he ran, he laid it down there and looked like winning and then the three-year-old just came and got him."

Big Orange won his last two Goodwood Cups prior to contesting the 2015 and 2016 Melbourne Cups which resulted in a fifth and 10th place finish respectively.

Stradivarius, also a winner during the Royal Ascot carnival in June, will be chasing Gosden's fifth St Leger Stakes after the trainer first won the British Classic in 1996.

"It's a race I love and is a mile and six and a half furlongsround Donny, which is about a similar test as it's an open galloping track, whereas here is all interesting zig-zags and bends," Gosden told the Racing Post.

"Our fella stayed it out well, I knew he'd get the trip.

"Big Orange has a huge heart and he's run with it again but he's run into a three-year-old who is getting 13lb off him."

Godolphin's Qewy, fourth in last year's Melbourne Cup, finished a disappointing second last.

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.