Brian Ellison's pursuit of Melbourne Cup glory gains momentum as Onesmoothoperator dominates the Geelong Cup. The strategic victory paves the way for a coveted spot in the prestigious race, reigniting Ellison's aspirations from his 1989 beginnings.
Onesmoothoperator has rekindled Brian Ellison's aspirations of winning the Melbourne Cup, after emerging as a decisive victor in the Geelong Cup. The six-year-old, who claimed victory in the Northumberland Plate earlier this year, has been central to Ellison's efforts, as he has been pursuing this esteemed race since he acquired his trainer's license in 1989.
Since Onesmoothoperator’s spot in the Melbourne Cup was not assured, Ellison strategically opted for the Geelong Cup as a pathway to secure a penalty for entry into the main event. This decision turned out to be a brilliant move. Under the guidance of Craig Williams, Onesmoothoperator swung wide into the straight and surged ahead to win by two and a quarter lengths, showcasing his potential as a strong contender for the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
Ellison has prior experience in Australian racing, having sent Carte Diamond to the Melbourne Cup in 2005. Unfortunately, an injury hindered his chances. In 2011, he entered both Moyenne Corniche and Saptapadi, but neither finished in a placement position.
Reflecting on the latest victory, Ellison remarked, 'He was brilliant, and he has been working great out here. He's adapted to it really well.' He added, 'Craig got off and mentioned he'll improve from that run. He should qualify now. That was worth £160,000 to the winner.'
Having encountered both triumphs and challenges in Australia, Ellison believes that the right horse makes the trip worthwhile. "It's a free shot now, going for the Melbourne Cup. Obviously, it's a different game facing horses like Vauban, but we'll see. At least he's shown he can win on grass now; that's his first victory!"
