Winner of the Group III Geelong Cup last year at his first Australian appearance, UK trained stayer Onesmoothoperator (USA) had not won a race since then but was back in the winning groove last night take out the $750,000 Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).
Trained by Brial Ellison and ridden by Mark Zahra, Onesmoothoperator was ridden quietly and was lats coming to the turn before unleashing a big finish to surge home with a well timed run.
The American bred gelding hit the line full of running to win by three-quarters of a length over Athabascan (Fr) with Scary in third place.
Onesmoothoperator ran 12th in last year’s Melbourne Cup behind Knight’s Choice and will now have another crack at the iconic staying feature with his price cut from $34 to $11 after the win.
“He’s been working really nicely, his times have been good,” Ellison said.
“He’s got a lot of speed, a great turn of foot, and you just can’t ride him handy.
“Mark gave him a great ride.”
It’s now full steam ahead for the Melbourne Cup with Harry Coffey to take the ride on Tuesday week.
“I just want 10 days with no dramas, like we did last year,” Ellison added.
“He will run well at Flemington. I’m not saying he can win it as it’s a real hot race but he won’t disgrace himself.”
Zahra was impressed by Onesmooothoperator also believes the gelding can run well at Flemington.
“They all packed up and I was still travelling, I just needed a bit of a break,” he said.
“I thought I was the winner at the 400-metre mark.
“As soon as he got the room, he was strong. It was soft late and a very good win.
“He ran very well in the race last year off a wide barrier. He’s definitely not without a hope with 52 kilos. He’s definitely got a chance.”
A bargain basement US$5,000 buy for Sherbourne Lodge at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, Onesmoothoperator (USA) was a 65,000 guineas purchase for DPA Bloodstock at the 2021 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
The winner of six and placed in 17of his 46 starts, Onesmoothoperator (USA) is the best of four winners from as many to race for the Medaglia D'Oro mare Sueno D'Oro a half-sister to stakes-placed Star Worship out of the stakes-placed Dream Wish a descendent of the famed Rough Shod female family.
Onesmoothoperator (USA) is one of 31 stakes-winners for Florida Derby winner Dialed In, who stands at Darby Dan Farm for US$10,000 in 2026.
