Champion horse Onesmoothoperator under Melbourne Cup injury cloud with cut heel
Updated . First published at
Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator is in doubt for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup with a cut heel.
The overseas runner took out the Group 3 Geelong Cup by a stunning four lengths last month.
Onesmoothoperator has a cut to his right hind heel bulb.
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The seven-year-old gelding will undergo another vet inspection on Saturday — and while the results will not be the final judgement, it will be pivotal to the horse's chances of contesting "the race that stops the nation".
Jockeyed by Craig Williams, if Onesmoothoperator was to be ruled out, the legendary jockey could be without a ride in the Cup.
Mission Of Love was withdrawn on veterinary advice on Friday following an inspection.
Onesmoothoperator, ridden by Craig Williams, wins the 2024 Geelong Cup. Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images
Speaking in the lead-up to the Melbourne Cup, champion trainer Chris Waller said there were too many unknowns around entering Cox Plate winner Via Sistina.
There were questions around whether the Melbourne Cup distance would be too much of a jump for Via Sistina.
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"We don't know about Via Sistina in terms of the 200 metres. We know she's very good over 2000 metres," he said of the decision to withdraw the horse from the Melbourne Cup.
The seven-year-old will instead run on Stakes Day with jockey James McDonald.
Waller is still in the mix for Cup glory with six-year-old gelding Buckeroo.
"Buckeroo's got great form, coming out of the Caufield Cup running second," he said.
"I think that form each year stands up."
The Melbourne Cup Carnival will get underway with Derby Day on Saturday.