Big Orange is once again heading to Melbourne to contest the 2016 Melbourne Cup.

Owner Bill Gredley and trainer Michael Bell were reportedly waiting on yesterday’s weight announcement before committing to the $6,000,000 race.

Yesterday’s announcement declared that Big Orange would have to carry 56kg in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup, half a kilo more than last year.

It was feared that the gelding would be punished in the weights given it’s success in winning the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket in July.

“The performances Big Orange has produced on the track and his physical development from four to five-years-old suggests he has improved by more than a pound. I have spoken to Mr Gredley and he is keen to go.” Michael Bell said.

The cost of bringing Big Orange to Melbourne is reportedly around $120,000.

Big Orange is currently third in the Melbourne Cup betting market at $21.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au