The decision concerning Onesmoothoperator’s participation in The Bart Cummings at Flemington will be contingent upon the volume of rainfall and the subsequent condition of the Flemington track.
Trainer Tim Fitzsimmons is anticipating significant rainfall at Flemington prior to Saturday, which is expected to leave the track in a heavy state.
Flemington racecourse manager Liam O’Keeffe has predicted up to 50mm of rain before Saturday, with the meeting likely to be contested on a heavy track.
If the track conditions turn heavy, Onesmoothoperator will be rerouted to the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield the following Saturday, or he will be pointed directly towards 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.”
Following his debut run for Fitzsimmons in the autumn, having previously raced for Brian Ellison in last year’s Melbourne Cup, the gelding pleased his new trainer despite finishing well behind 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 stated.
“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 indicated that he would need to confer with the ownership group concerning the strategy for Onesmoothoperator’s upcoming racing schedule.
The stayer is currently ranked 28th in the order of entry for the Caulfield Cup, and Fitzsimmons commented that it would not be ideal to compete in the Herbert Power Stakes and then back up for the Caulfield Cup.
He also mentioned that holding off for either the Geelong Cup or the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, races Onesmoothoperator has previously claimed, is another potential 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 anticipated rainfall necessitate the scratching of Onesmoothoperator from Saturday’s race, Fitzsimmons stated that he would accompany Blazing Sword to the Gunbower Gold Cup (1800m) on Saturday.
Punters looking to get involved in the racing action can explore the latest betting markets for the Caulfield Cup at betting sites.
