Parchment Party First US-trained Melbourne Cup runner

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott admits he’s still not sure how Parchment party will man the turf at Flemington Racecourse when he becomes the first American-trained runner to compete in the Melbourne Cup (G1) on November 4.

“We would feel good about the race being on dirt,” Mott told FanDuel TV. “But he’s played on the grass, and although he moves well on the grass when he’s working, he’s never won on it. He’s a real keeper, it’s just a matter of how he handles the surface.”

The five-year-old’s unlikely journey began when the Belmont Gold Cup (G3) was held in June Saratoga Race Course was switched from grass to sand due to heavy rain – a condition of its entry. Parchment Party came home by 8 1/2 lengths to secure a ‘win and you’re in’ golden ticket to Melbourne. He quarantined in Newmarket before flying to Australia, adapting impressively to unfamiliar circumstances.

“We had to change our training approach from ovals to uphill galloping at Newmarket, but he has taken it well,” Mott said. “He looks good, seems happy and we have maintained a good fitness level.”

Unable to travel to Melbourne, Mott is monitoring his horse’s progress from a distance and remains proud to have the United States represented at racing’s greatest residence. However, the rain forecast for Tuesday is worrying.

“That won’t be to our advantage,” Mott said. “We prefer the grass to be very firm, something that mimics dirt, but we’ll roll with the punches.”

Parchment Party will be ridden by fellow Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who will also make history as the first American jockey to compete in the Melbourne Cup.

Onesmoothoperator to stay in Australia

Indiana bred One smooth operator will remain in Australia after the Melbourne Cup, with Boyle Bloodstock confirming the decision on October 30.

“That is the plan to stay in Australia. There is more for him here than bringing him back to Europe,” the ownership group said. “We sold part of the horse ahead of the Melbourne Cup but retain the majority share. He will be trained by Brian’s (Ellison) old friend Tim Fitzsimmons.”

Currently groomed by UK-based trainer Brian Ellison, Onesmoothoperator is in his second Melbourne Spring Carnival and achieved further group success when securing the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (G2) under Mark Zahra last week. The gelding won the Geelong Cup (G3) under Craig Williams last year before finishing midfield in the Melbourne Cup, and heads to Flemington this year with Harry Coffey booked to ride. The move to keep Onesmoothoperator in Australia will ensure the consistent stayer will continue to play a prominent role in the country’s premier stay races, with his future now in the hands of former Singapore-based trainer Tim Fitzsimmons.

Ellison said victory on Tuesday would mean everything for the trainer who has ridden horses in England, Ireland, France, Dubai and the US.

“It’s the best place ever to race,” Ellison said. “I’ve been to France and America, and this is by far the best place I’ve ever been.”

Some plans remain to go to Hong Kong depending on Tuesday’s result, or even to the Perth Cup (G2) in January where the stayer would race under the tutelage of Fitzsimmons.