Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator is under close scrutiny ahead of the 2024 Melbourne Cup after failing a veterinary inspection on Friday due to a heel cut. The Brian Ellison-trained import had surged into Cup contention following his Geelong Cup performance, but now awaits a second Racing Victoria veterinary examination on Saturday morning to determine his eligibility for the big race.

A statement from Racing Victoria on Friday morning noted, “RV vets today inspected Onesmoothoperator, who has sustained a cut to its right hind heel bulb. The horse was not passed at this time. He will be re-inspected tomorrow after being re-shod.”

The Melbourne Cup has seen multiple recent veterinary withdrawals, including unbeaten Irish three-year-old Jan Brueghel, as well as Geelong Cup runner-up Muramasa and Brayden Star, both trained by Trent and Natalie Young.

Further Cup-related veterinary assessments were also scheduled for Friday, including a follow-up inspection on Geelong Cup placegetter Interpretation, who showed an altered gait during his Thursday check.

Onesmoothoperator is currently an $8.00 chance with betting sites in Melbourne Cup betting.

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