The decision on whether Onesmoothoperator races in The Bart Cummings at Flemington will be determined by the volume of rainfall and the resulting condition of the Flemington track.

Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons is resigned to the possibility of substantial rain at Flemington before Saturday, which would leave the track in a heavily saturated state.

Flemington racecourse manager Liam O’Keeffe is predicting up to 50mm of rain before Saturday, with the meeting expected to be run on a heavy track.

If this forecast proves accurate, Onesmoothoperator will be rerouted to the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield the following Saturday, or he will be aimed directly at the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17.

“The rain is going to be a big factor as he just doesn’t go a yard on it,” Fitzsimmons said.

“I think he’d run on a Soft 5, but anything worse, we won’t be running.

“Even in his trackwork, on a heavy track, he can work alright until he comes off the bridle and then he’s not much good.”

After his initial run in the autumn, which was Onesmoothoperator’s first for Fitzsimmons after racing for Brian Ellison in last year’s Melbourne Cup, the gelding pleased his new trainer despite finishing well back in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19.

“He only got beaten 4.3 lengths, off a slow speed, and once they put the rail out, it was very difficult to make up ground,” Fitzsimmons remarked.

“He was doing his best work through the line and the 2000 (metres) was a bit sharp and he needed the run as well.

“He’s come on for the run, and Mark (Zahra) jumps back on, and he’s won on him before.”

Fitzsimmons stated that he would need to consult with the ownership group regarding the plan for Onesmoothoperator’s upcoming race program.

The stayer is currently 28th in the Caulfield Cup order of entry, and Fitzsimmons noted that it would not be ideal to run in the Herbert Power Stakes and then back-up into the Caulfield Cup.

He also mentioned that holding off for either the Geelong Cup or the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, races Onesmoothoperator has previously won, is another viable option.

“If we don’t run Saturday, he’ll have a quiet jump-out on Monday here at Bendigo,” Fitzsimmons confirmed.

“He’s number 27 in the Melbourne Cup, and he looks like he’s a good chance of getting in.

“In an ideal world, he runs Saturday, into the Caulfield Cup, if he gets in, and then onto the Melbourne Cup.”

Should the rain force Onesmoothoperator’s withdrawal from Saturday’s race, Fitzsimmons indicated that he would travel with Blazing Sword to the Gunbower Gold Cup (1800m) on Saturday.

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