The Brian Ellison-trained seven-year-old, who won the Geelong Cup on his travels last year, won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Friday
A British horse has guaranteed his place in the £5 million Lexus Melbourne Cup with a second big win in Australia.
Former Northumberland Plate winner Onesmoothoperator, trained by Brian Ellison in Yorkshire, finished 12th in the world famous race in 2024 after victory in the Geelong Cup which secured him a start.
He was due to defend his crown at Geelong on Wednesday but the race was called off due to high winds and Ellison took him out of the rescheduled version on Thursday because the ground wasn’t suitable.
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He waited another 24 hours for the £500,000 Moonee Valley Gold Cup, the last major long distance race before the Melbourne Cup on November 4.
Under Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra, Onesmoothoperator was settled at the back and circled the field to win the prize comfortably. It earned the horse a ‘golden ticket’ into the big race.
Zahra said: “It was pretty easy, actually. I travelled well and at the 300m I thought ‘I’m home here’.”
Zahra, who has ridden two of the last three Melbourne Cup winners, has been booked for favourite Al Riffa at Flemington. Harry Coffey will take over for his next start in ten days.
“He ran very well in it last year from a wide barrier,” said Zahra. “I’ve already got a ride. He’s definitely not without a hope. He settles well and he’ll run the trip. He’s definitely got a chance.”
Onesmoothoperater was without a win since his last trip to Australia where he has settled in well.
Ellison told Racing.com: “He’s been working really well. His times have been good. He’s got a lot of speed and that’s the way you have to ride him.
“I thought he had a bit to do at one stage but when he pulled him out he picked up well. I know he’s got a great turn of foot. You can’t ride him handy, uou have to ride him for luck. He gave him a great ride.”
He went on: “He’ll improve for the run. We want ten days now with no dramas, like we did last year. He’ll run well at Flemington. He won’t disgrace himself.”