Melbourne Cup run hangs in the balance for Onesmoothoperator
Onesmoothoperator’s (Dialed In) participation in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) remains in the balance with a reinspection on Saturday required after he was deemed an unsuitable runner by Racing Victoria (RV) stewards having sustained a cut.
Trained in the UK by Brian Ellison, Onesmoothoperator has tumbled in the betting for the Flemington feature following his impressive win in the Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) and now sits on the second line as a $6 chance.
However, the gelding became the latest big-name contender whose Cup run came into doubt after he was found to have a cut to his right heel when inspected on Friday.
“RV vets today inspected Onesmoothoperator, who has sustained a cut to its right hind heel bulb. The horse was not passed at this time. He will be re-inspected tomorrow [Saturday] after being re-shod,” a statement released by RV on Friday read.
The northern hemisphere six-year-old had passed his initial scans and has not been impacted by the cut, according to his owner Patrick Doyle who told RSN: “It’s quite straightforward, he pulled a shoe a couple of days ago but he’s worked well since on the gallops without any problem.
“It was his timetabled vets’ check on Friday and, with good reason, they’d like to see him again to make sure the cut on his heel is improving. He’s being reshod on Saturday.
“The guys are applying antiseptic stuff and bandaging. We’re confident; it’s not ideal but hopefully he’ll be alright.”
Onesmoothoperator got a form boost this week when Sea King (Sea The Stars), who finished one place in front of him when sixth in York’s prestigious Ebor Handicap (1m 6f) in August bolted up in the Bendigo Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) for Harry Eustace.
“His form is solid,” Doyle added. “Harry’s horse won very well indeed. We were upsides in the Ebor and rode similar races having been too far back to win it but running nicely. The Ebor is generally strong form and it all adds to the recipe for the race.”