Geelong key to Doyle Cup hopes

Wednesday’s $500,000 Geelong Cup could open the door for England star Holly Doyle to secure a second trip to the Melbourne Cup.

Among the final 15 entries for the Group 3 race is the Brian Ellison-trained Onesmoothoperator, which Doyle could ride in the Melbourne Cup if he performs well on his Australian debut.

Onesmoothoperator has a minimum weight of 50kg for the Melbourne Cup, but Craig Williams will compete at 54kg in Geelong on Wednesday.

Doyle and her husband Tom Marquand have announced their intention to come to Melbourne this spring in hopes of competing in the Melbourne Cup, but at this stage, with the small number of horses racing, Marquand’s options are very limited due to his weight.

Doyle competed in the Melbourne Cup for the first time last year when she teamed with Bart Cummings winner Future History to finish 15th.

Onesmoothoperator is currently 32nd in line to start the Melbourne Cup, so even if he doesn’t win at Geelong or improve his place on the ballot, he still has a chance to sneak into the race at Flemington.

Two international players will make their debut in Australia. Onesmoothoperator will be joined by lightweight rider Birdman, who has been sold to Australia and is being trained by Chris Waller.

He currently ranks 36th in the Melbourne Cup starting line-up.

Champions trainer Waller will also try to use the Geelong Cup to qualify Francesco Guardi and El Bodegon, who remain off the ballot.

Waller is preparing 10 of the 43 horses already qualified for the Melbourne Cup.