Onesmoothoperator in 'super form' for Australia trip - although Melbourne Cup run hangs in the balance

Brian Ellison still hopes Onesmoothoperator's Australian dream is alive, with the Northumberland Plate hero heading to the country whether or not he gets into the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

The six-year-old enters quarantine this week but is not certain to make the cut for the Flemington showpiece on November 5. He is one of five British-trained runners entered in the Melbourne Cup, alongside Sea King, Arrest and the Andrew Balding-trained duo Night Sparkle and Relentless Voyager.

Even if Onesmoothoperator is denied a run in the famous contest, Ellison has mapped out a plan for his stable star to challenge for some more Australian riches so the long trip is not wasted.

"He's still going to Australia and enters quarantine on Thursday, and Matt [Brown] rides him every day at home and is going out there too, which is a great experience for him," he said. "I'm not sure if he'll get in the Melbourne Cup, but there are some other races for very good prize-money over there too.

"There's the likes of the Geelong Cup, the Bendigo Cup and a few more races worth six figures over there that he could go for and all rich pots in their own right. There's also a race on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup [Queen Elizabeth Stakes] which would look good for him too."

Onesmoothoperator was fourth in the September Stakes behind impressive winner Kalpana last Saturday, having also finished seventh behind possible Melbourne Cup contender Magical Zoe in the Ebor last month.

Ellison added: "He's in super form ahead of going and bounced out of Kempton really well. They didn't go fast enough for him there, but I thought he ran better than where he finished. It'll have put him spot on for going to Australia and was a lovely prep run."

Lexus Melbourne Cup (4.00 Flemington, November 5)
Paddy Power: 10 Vauban, Circle Of Fire, Grosvenor Square, 14 Magical Zoe, The Map, Saint George, 16 Middle Earth, Absurde, 20 bar

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