Onesmoothoperator books his Melbourne Cup ticket
The Brian Ellison-trained Onesmoothoperator (Dialed In) punched his ticket for the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) at Flemington a week on Tuesday with an ultra impressive win under the lights in Friday’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup (Gr 2, 2500m).
The seven-year-old was ruled out of the defence of his Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) on Wednesday after wet and windy weather meant the race was postponed until Thursday. However, the change of plan persuaded his connections to head to Moonee Valley instead.
Despite going winless since his dominant victory at Geelong last year, including running 12th as a $7 chance in last year’s Melbourne Cup, Onesmoothoperator was sent out the $4.20 favourite under Mark Zahra. After travelling towards the back, the gelding sliced through the field impressively to win by three-quarters of a length.
Ellison said the genuine tempo up front suited Onesmoothoperator’s racing style and said it was all systems go to Flemington.
“I thought we had a bit to do at one stage, but when he pulled him out, he picked up well,” Ellison said.
“I know he’s got a great turn of foot, you just can’t ride him handy, you have to ride him for luck. He gave him a great ride.”
“We needed a gallop on, and there was plenty of gallop on. I thought ‘are we in trouble here’ but when he got him rolling… he’ll improve for the run as well.”
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.
“I just want ten days with no dramas like we did last year, like we’ve had before, and he’ll run well at Flemington,” Ellison said.
“I’m not sure he’s going to win it because it’s a really hot race, but he won’t disgrace himself.
“He 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, everything’s good.”
Onesmoothoperator was allotted 52 kilograms for the Flemington showpiece on November 4, but is eligible for a penalty after Friday’s triumph.
With Zahra committed to ride topweight Al Riffa, Ellison confirmed last year’s Caulfield Cup winning jockey Harry Coffey had been booked to ride Onesmoothoperator, who has cut into $11 for the Melbourne Cup.