Onesmoothoperator passes second vet check and cleared to race in the Melbourne Cup

British raider Onesmoothoperator has been cleared to run in the Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday after passing a secondary vet inspection. 

The Brian Ellison-trained gelding was summoned for an additional check by Racing Victoria vets ahead of the Flemington contest after being found to have a cut on his right heel when inspected on Thursday. 

However, he was deemed fit to run on Saturday and is now clear to contest the AU$8 million (£4.07 million) race, for which he is a best-priced 12-1. 

There are 26 runners left in contention for Tuesday's race after Brayden Star and Muramasa were the latest to fail a compulsory CT scan on Thursday. Their absence follows on from the controversial ruling out of ante-post favourite Jan Brueghel, who was found to be "at heightened risk of injury" by vets this week. 

Onesmoothoperator, who landed the Geelong Cup last month, will be partnered by local jockey Craig Williams, who won the race on Vow And Declare in 2019, while Hollie Doyle will ride the Harry Eustace-trained Sea King, the sole other British runner in the field. 

The five-year-old is now a 10-1 chance to make a winning debut in Group 1 company, having landed the Group 3 Bendigo Cup on his last start. 

Chris Waller, who enjoyed two Group 1 victories at the track on Saturday, saddles likely favourite in Buckaroo, formerly trained by Joseph O'Brien, while Willie Mullins is double-handed in his hunt for a first Melbourne Cup success with Vauban and Absurde.

Lexus Melbourne Cup (4.00am Flemington, Tuesday November 5)
Paddy Power: 4 Buckaroo, 5 Vauban, 8 Absurde, 10 Land Legend, Sea King, 12 Onesmoothoperator, 14 Interpretation, 16 Kovalica, 20 bar 

Read more from Australia:

Coolmore's magical run continues in Melbourne as Chris Waller produces a potential Royal Ascot raider 

'We won't sacrifice safety for the sake of having a runner' - Racing Victoria responds to Jan Brueghel criticism 

The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels!

Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.