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Trainer Michael Bell says the handicapper will decide whether Big Orange returns to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.

Connections of Big Orange will not make a decision on a Melbourne Cup start until weights are released.

Big Orange, fifth with 55.5kg in last year's Cup, is likely to have his next start in the Irish St Leger with trainer Michael Bell and owner Bill Gredley ruling the dual Goodwood Cup winner out of a trip to North America.

"We will be waiting for the weights for the Melbourne Cup. Mr Gredley is lukewarm about making that long trip if Big Orange gets a prohibitive weight," Bell told the Racing Post.

"The bottom weight won the race last year and it is difficult to give weight away in such a tough race - look at Snow Sky last year."

Snow Sky, who carried 58kg in the Cup, finished 23rd of the 24 runners behind Prince Of Penzance (53kg).

Weights for the Melbourne Cup will be released on September 13.