'I know I've got a good one' - Onesmoothoperator slashed for Melbourne Cup glory after impressive Geelong Cup win

Onesmoothoperator enhanced his Melbourne Cup credentials when producing a powerful turn of foot to land the Group 3 Ladbrokes Geelong Cup for Brian Ellison.

The six-year-old, who was sent off at 10-1, took the lead inside the final furlong and quickened to see off Interpretation by two and a quarter lengths.

Ridden by Craig Williams, who celebrated his sixth victory in the race, Onesmoothoperator was cut to 12-1 (from 33) with Coral for the Lexus-sponsored Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 5.

Speaking to Racing.com, Ellison said: "I've been here a few times and had a few bits of bad luck, but this horse has been brilliant. He came over, he put weight on during the trip over, and Matt Brown, who rides him every day, has been great.

"I said to Craig [Williams] that he's not your normal stayer, he's got loads of speed and he's always had a good turn of foot. He gave him a great ride today and I think he's loved it here – he's been bouncing.

"I kept saying to the owner [Patrick Boyle] that we had to go to Australia. The owner loves his racing and I said you have to go to Australia at this time of year, it's fantastic. I said this horse has got a good chance if we get into the Cup."

Before his victory at Geelong, the gelding had won four times on the all-weather, with his biggest success coming in the Northumberland Plate on home soil at Newcastle in June. He followed up by finishing seventh in the Ebor at York, before running fourth behind subsequent Group 1 winner Kalpana in the September Stakes at Kempton last month.

Onesmoothoperator: scored by more than two lengths in his first race in AustraliaCredit: Reg Ryan

Ellison added: "He was too far back in the Ebor and nothing was coming from behind. The idea was to sit in the middle, but we got shuffled to the back and it was far too much to do. He still ran well and then we went to Kempton, but a mile and a half was too short because they went off slow. The winner has won a Group 1 and the horse behind us finished second in a Group 3, so the form has been really good.

"You have to put your head down and keep kicking. Everybody has bad luck, but you have to keep your head down. I know I've got a good horse."

Flying visit for Mullins

Champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins made a flying visit to Australia to see his two Melbourne Cup contenders, Vauban and Absurde, work at Werribee.

Vauban, who finished second to outstanding stayer Kyprios in the Irish St Leger last month, is a general 7-1 shot for the Melbourne event, while stablemate Absurde is 12-1. The pair respectively finished 14th and seventh in the race 12 months ago.

Mullins said: "I think both horses are ready this minute to run and that's really the way I wanted them. It's just biding time now and I think we're ready.

"Vauban has come down here much fitter this year than last year. We did a different program with him for the summer and I raced him all the way though, reckoning that I just need to freshen him up and maybe give him a blow out for the Cup.

"Absurde went to Chester and exceeded my expectations by winning there. I think he is in the right place as well. I am much happier with him this year, he seems more mature in his mind watching him on the gallops – he seems to have grown up."

Lexus Melbourne Cup (Flemington, November 5)

Coral: 4-1 Jan Brueghel, 6 Buckaroo, 7 Vauban, 12 Absurde, Onesmoothoperator, 14 Land Legend, Point King, 20 Via Sistina, 25 Birdman, Francesco Guardi, Zardozi, 33 Bar

Read these next:

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Vauban back in Australia for Melbourne Cup redemption as jockey plans are confirmed for Willie Mullins contenders 

Big-race trends: key stats to help you find the winner of the Melbourne Cup 

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