British raider Onesmoothoperator has strengthened his Melbourne Cup credentials with a powerful victory in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on Friday night.
Trainer Brian Ellison switched plans from the Geelong Cup due to poor weather and was rewarded as the seven-year-old stormed home under Mark Zahra to defeat Athabascan and Scary.
“I know he’s got a great turn of foot, you just can’t ride him handy, you have to ride him for luck,” Ellison said. “He gave him a great ride.”
The win marks Onesmoothoperator’s second consecutive first-up success in Australia, with the gelding now bound for Flemington.
Ellison confirmed Harry Coffey will take the ride in the Melbourne Cup, where Onesmoothoperator has firmed to $11.
“I’m not sure he’s going to win it, but he won’t disgrace himself,” Ellison said.