Bendigo trainer Tim Fitzsimmons does not desire rain in Victoria right now, with Onesmoothoperator set to race at Flemington.
The one-time UK horse Onesmoothoperator is slated for the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) Saturday, contingent on the ground not being too soft.
Winning Saturday’s event delivers the champion a pass into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November.
For Fitzsimmons, this is Onesmoothoperator’s sophomore start, following preparation by Brian Ellison in the UK, escalating from 1600m to 2600m immediately.
Onesmoothoperator’s first for the stable taught Fitzsimmons the mile was much too brief, the gelding ninth to victor Birdman in Flemington’s Blamey Stakes (1600m) on February 28.
Fitzsimmons once contemplated the co-featured Australian Cup (2000m), but deemed post-Blamney that 2000m remained too near.
“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.”
Fitzsimmons indicated future plans hinge on Saturday, possibly Sydney Cup (3200m) Randwick April 11 or Mornington Cup (2400m) April 18.
Mornington Cup glory hands Onesmoothoperator ballot relief for October’s Caulfield Cup (2400m).
“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.”
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