Big Orange squeezes rivals from the front for repeat victory

Anyone tuning in late on would have been forgiven for thinking they were watching a repeat of last year's race as Big Orange led the field a merry dance, but Michael Bell's stout stayer was again allowed to dictate and completed back-to-back victories.

Last year Jamie Spencer called the tune, but he elected to side with favourite The Grey Gatsby. The pair finished second, but were victims of how the race developed.

With only a steady gallop on for the first portion of the contest, the seven runners ended up traversing the July Course in Indian file, a move that played into the hands of the leader.