A GOLDEN TICKET INTO THE MELBOURNE CUP AWAITS THE WINNER OF THE ROY HIGGINS

By Graham Potter | Friday, March 27, 2026

From Onesmoothoperator at the top of the weight scale to the bottom weight Litzdeel, the Listed Roy Higgins over 2600m is full of intriguing prospects, not least because the winner of the race will pick up a much sought-after ‘Golden Ticket’ … a ballot free entry into the Melbourne Cup.

And in the age old tradition that a good story is never far away in racing, there is an interesting angle to the back story of both of those runners mentioned.

Onesmoothoperator has already had two starts in the Melbourne Cup over the last two years and, while he never featured in the Cup itself, his lead-up runs on both occasions … a win in the Geelong Cup (in 2024) and in the Moonee Valley Cup (in 2025) tells us quite a lot about the horse.

Having travelled to Australia with trainer Brian Ellison for those Cup runs, Onesmoothoperator remained in the country following the 2025 Cup and transferred to the Tim Fitzsimmons stable, meaning this will be the first time that the son of Dialed will have a long, measured run into the Melbourne Cup with having to factor in any international travel.

Litzdeel, for her part, is in the care of trainer Danny O’Brien, a man who not only knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup, but he is a trainer who knows what it is like to work with the family of Litzdeel … and how to turn that work into a success story.

Litzdeel is a half-sister to O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne up winner Vow And Declare … both being out of Geblitzt. Vow And Declare is by Declaration Of War. Litzdeel is by Dundee.

Both Onesmoothoperator and Litzdeel have had one run leading into this important assignment.

The Fitzsimmons trained runner finished unplaced in the Group 3 Blamey Stakes over 1600. He will relish the increase in distance the Roy Higgins offers him here. Ben Melham takes the reins.

Litzdeel’s finished second in the Australian Cup Prelude over 2000m.

Craig Williams, who partnered Vow And declare to that famous Melbourne Cup victory, has ridden Litzdeel in her last four starts and he again takes the ride on Saturday.

Litzdeel tops the betting boards as a strong $2.80 favourite while Onesmoothoperator is currently quoted at $9.

Of the eleven runners sandwiched between the horses at the top and the bottom of the weight scale, bookmakers are struggling to separate Whisky On The Hill ($5.50), Paradise Storm ($5.75) and Desert Hero ($6) on the second line of betting.