Onesmoothoperator ($12) has taken out the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Wednesday afternoon, thanks to a top ride from Craig Williams.
The Brian Ellison-trained gelding entered one of the key lead-ups for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) as a $12 outsider with horse racing bookmakers; however, his dominant victory proved he was missed by many in the market and that he is a Melbourne Cup contender.
After settling three-wide with cover for the 2400m journey, there would have been plenty of excuses if the son of Dialed In was to miss the placings, but Williams made sure he had a back to follow up until the home turn, where he released the brakes to sprint away from his rivals in the final 400m.
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By the time the winner hit the 200m mark, there was no chance of him being caught, and it was Interpretation ($21) and Muramasa ($7) who battled it out for the minor placings, with the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper nailing the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-prepared stayer on the line.
Unfortunately for favourite punters, their ticket was confetti before the field left the home straight for the first time as Unusual Legacy ($3.40) appeared to suffer an injury and Joao Moreira pulled the market elect out of the race.
2024 Geelong Cup replay – Onesmoothoperator
Brian Ellison was on course to speak about the victory post-race.
“I’ve been here a few times and had a few bits of bad luck but this horse has been brilliant,” Ellison said.
“He came over, he put weight on the trip over.
“Mark Brown rides him every day and he’s been doing good times and I just said to Craig, ‘it’s not your normal stayer, he’s got loads of speed’.
“He’s always had a good turn of foot, and a great ride.
“I kept saying to the owner you have to go to Australia. The owner loves racing, the family loves it, and they all love racing.
“And I said, ‘You have to go to Australia for this time of year; it’s fantastic. This horse has got a good chance if we get in the Cup; it’s a good chance.”
Craig Williams explained post-race that it was hard to get a gauge on how good the winner was before the run, but he was very happy to get the ride.
“With his form, it was really hard for us to get a guide with him, but he showed some really good attributes in some of his races, and even his last time when he was beaten to seven lengths, it was still a great performance,” Williams said.
“I was really delighted to be on his back today in today’s race. More delighted after what unfolded over the 2400-metres.
“I think he’s well-placed for this year’s race, and that’s all you’re ever asking for.
“You’re looking for the best horse in that year, and he ticks good boxes.
“The fact that he stays really well. He’s been a synthetic track, a very firm track today.
“He’s won on soft, and he runs over long distance, and today he’s like riding on cotton wool, the way he was.
“It worked out really well, and it was good to get an understanding of him going forward, which is great.
“But most importantly, he got the win, and it’s a great lead-up race, especially for international horses going to the Cup.”
Following his win, Onesmoothoperator has shortened from $51 to as short as $9 with some bookmakers for the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
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