The Melbourne Cup is the ultimate goal for Onesmoothoperator, who won first-up in Australia for the second year in a row, successful in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on Friday.
Trainer Brian Ellison brought the now seven-year-old gelding to Australia last year to win the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m), and a title defence was on the cards before wet and windy weather persuaded the North Yorkshire-based trainer to head to Moonee Valley.
Despite going winless since his dominant victory at Geelong, including running 12th as a $7 chance in last yearâs Melbourne Cup won by Knightâs Choice, Onesmoothoperator was sent out the $4.20 favourite under Mark Zahra, running on strongly from back in the field to beat Athabascan ($20) by ž of a length, with a head back to Scary ($14) in third.
Ellison said the genuine tempo up front suited Onesmoothoperatorâs racing style and said it was all systems go to Flemington.
âI thought we had a bit to do at one stage, but when he pulled him out, he picked up well,â Ellison said.
âI know heâs got a great turn of foot, you just canât ride him handy, you have to ride him for luck. He gave him a great ride.â
âWe needed a gallop on, and there was plenty of gallop on. I thought âare we in trouble hereâ but when he got him rolling⌠heâll improve for the run as well.â
Onesmoothoperator is yet to have his final scans done for the Melbourne Cup, which ruled out race-favourite Sir Delius in recent days, but Ellison said the horse is ready to go.
âI just want ten days with no dramas like we did last year, like weâve had before, and heâll run well at Flemington,â Ellison said.
âIâm not sure heâs going to win it because itâs a really hot race, but he wonât disgrace himself.â
âHe goes for his bone scan tomorrow again, and hopefully, he comes out of that alright. He got vetted this morning, he got vetted two days ago, everythingâs good.â
Onesmoothoperator has 52 kilograms in the Melbourne Cup, to be run on November 4th at Flemington, but is eligible for a penalty after tonight.
With Zahra committed to ride topweight Al Riffa, Ellison confirmed last yearâs Caulfield Cup winning jockey Harry Coffey had been booked to ride Onesmoothoperator, who has come into $11 for the Melbourne Cup.
