Trainer Charlie Appleby admits Qewy faces a big task to overthrow Big Orange in the Goodwood Cup as he prepares the stayer for a return trip to Australia.
Qewy won the Geelong Cup and the Sandown Cup last year either side of a creditable fourth in the Melbourne Cup.
He was fourth in the Queen Alexandra Stakes on his return to action and looks to be playing for a place at best in the latest leg of the British Champions Series.
“I was pleased with his run at Ascot and he’s come out of it well,” Appleby said.
“He probably found two-miles-six (4355m) a bit too far at Royal Ascot and dropping back in trip will suit him.
“Big Orange is exceptionally good on quicker surfaces and is even money. You can throw a blanket over the rest of us, so we will give it a go.
“The plan is go back to Australia with Qewy, so I’ve got to map his races timing wise to get down there fit and well.”
Big Orange, who has been unplaced in the past two Melbourne Cups, is out to create history by winning a third successive Goodwood Cup on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST).
While Double Trigger won the race three times in the 1990s, there was a two-year gap between his first two triumphs.
The Michael Bell-trained Big Orange has taken his form to a new level this season by winning the Gold Cup at Ascot and is favourite to win the Goodwood Cup which is being run at Group One level for the first time.
“Winning the Gold Cup was personally hugely satisfying,” Bell said.
“It’s the feature of Royal Ascot and to win it after such an epic battle with Order Of St George was deeply rewarding.
“The stayers like Persian Punch, Double Trigger and Further Flight get a following because they hang around.
“The horse doesn’t know who he’s running against and Order Of St George not running obviously makes his task easier as we only just beat him at Ascot.”
