Trainer Michael Bell believes his Melbourne Cup charge Big Orange has the attributes to cope with the Australian style of racing.

The Newmarket trainer arrived in Melbourne this week and was happy with Big Orange’s appearance when he first laid eyes on the stayer at Werribee.

“He’s a gelding so he’s held his coat very well, his weight is good and he looks in as good a shape as you could hope to see him,” Bell said.

He said Big Orange was a high class stayer who had the speed to win at 2400 metres but had also won over 3200 metres so ticked plenty of boxes for the Melbourne Cup.

With the gelding weighing at 540kg, Bell said Big Orange would be up on the speed in line with his usual racing pattern.

“He’s always raced handily when he’s been successful so regardless of which gate he gets we’ll be sending him forward,” Bell said.

“He’s an enormous horse with a big stride so one thing you can’t do is put him out of his stride.

“He really covers the ground so you’ve got to get him into his rhythm.”

Big Orange will be ridden in the Melbourne Cup by Jamie Spencer and is a $41 chance in TAB all-in betting.