Rainfall is urgently needed across Victoria, but Tim Fitzsimmons from Bendigo would prefer it holds off for Onesmoothoperator’s Flemington appearance.
Onesmoothoperator, previously raced in the UK, takes his place in Saturday’s Listed Roy Higgins (2600m), so long as the track stays firm enough.
Saturday’s success guarantees ballot-free entry to Flemington’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November.
The gelding enjoys his second race in Fitzsimmons’ charges, ex-UK trainer Brian Ellison, surging from 1600m up to 2600m at once.
Fitzsimmons took away from the stable debut that the mile distance was overly brisk, Onesmoothoperator running ninth after Birdman in the Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on February 28.
The stable had hinted at Saturday’s Australian Cup (2000m) as an option, though the Blamey performance showed 2000m still short.
“They were too sharp over the mile and there was no speed either which didn’t help,” Fitzsimmons said.
“It’s a lot better race for him on Saturday up to his preferred sort of distance and I think he’s trained on from the other day as well.
“He’s done a heap of work since. However, I am worried about the weather. If it rains, and it’s any worse than a Soft 5, then I’ll probably scratch him.
“He doesn’t go a yard on it, and I don’t want to waste runs with him.”
Results on Saturday could steer towards the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 11, or Mornington Cup (2400m) April 18, per Fitzsimmons.
Onesmoothoperator winning at Mornington nets exemption to the Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October.
“There is the Mornington Cup or even if the weather forecast looks OK in Sydney, he could go straight to the Sydney Cup,” Fitzsimmons said.
“He’s the sort of horse that can do that which we saw when he won first-up in the Moonee Valley Cup in the spring.
“The ultimate aim is the Caulfield Cup in the spring, but there are not many races around for him, and unfortunately a lot are going to be dictated by the weather.”
View the best Australian betting sites for Roy Higgins odds on Onesmoothoperator’s big run.