No trainer would be begrudged the chance at Melbourne Cup redemption more than Brian Ellison. The English horseman has travelled to Melbourne for the ‘race that stops a nation’ over the course of two decades, but misfortune has too often greeted his ambitions.

His first attempt came in 2005 with Carte Diamond, who suffered a freak accident during a gallop at Flemington. Jockey Weichong Marwing was dislodged and the horse, running loose, attempted to jump a barrier, impaling himself on a metal spike. It was a devastating moment that halted Ellison’s early Cup hopes.

Ellison returned in 2006 with Bay Story, who did not make the Melbourne Cup field but finished runner-up in the 2800m Cup Day race before also placing second in the Perth Cup. Bay Story came back for another campaign in 2007 but tragically broke down in the Cup Day support race and had to be euthanised.

In 2011, he was back again with Moyenne Corniche and Saptapadi, but they could only manage 15th and 16th in the Cup.

It would be 13 more years before Ellison would return to Melbourne with a genuine contender. Last spring, Onesmoothoperator delivered the trainer his first Australian feature victory when capturing the Geelong Cup before finishing 12th in the Melbourne Cup.

Now, following his win in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on October 24, Onesmoothoperator is back for another shot at the 3200m Flemington classic on Tuesday.

Ellison says that, unlike last year, everything has gone to script.

“We had a bad week last year after Geelong,” Ellison said.

“We were clipping him, and he jumped back and caught a heel and pulled a shoe off and got a cut on his heel.

“He was clipped earlier, he’s been tidied up and he’s nice and good and looks better this year.

“He’s also a better horse now and he learned a lot from last year.

“He enjoys being out here. At Moonee Valley he showed a great turn of foot. He’s improved from the race as he hadn’t raced for two months, and I think we’re in a great place.

“At the moment, touch wood, everything has been going to plan, but we’ve still got two days to get through.”

Onesmoothoperator had his final breeze at Werribee on Saturday morning with Cup jockey Harry Coffey aboard, ensuring the stayer will head into the race fit and settled.

For Ellison, who has raced horses across England, Ireland, France, Dubai and the United States, victory in the Melbourne Cup would be career-defining.

“It’s the best place ever to come racing,” Ellison said.

“I’ve been to France, America and this is by far the best place I have ever come.”

Depending on Tuesday’s result, Onesmoothoperator may head to Hong Kong later in the year or return west for the Perth Cup in January, where Bendigo-based Tim Fitzsimmons would oversee his campaign.

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