McDonald booked for Meydaan Melbourne Cup ride

James McDonald has been booked to partner Simon and Ed Crisford’s Meydaan in the Melbourne Cup on November 4.

The four-year-old has already been in action in Australia when beaten less than five lengths in the Caulfield Cup recently.

McDonald won the race on Verry Elleegant in 2022 and is the regular rider of Via Sistina but once she was ruled out of the race, the Crisfords stepped in.

“The ground dried up a lot and he didn’t really come down the hill that well, he lost a few lengths,” Ed Crisford said of Meydaan’s Caulfield Cup run.

“Caulfield is a relatively sharp track. I was a little bit surprised that he didn’t handle it, we thought he would handle it a bit better.

“To be honest, the way he came home was really pleasing, Andrea (Atzeni) sort of looked after him, he ran on nicely.

“So he’s going for the Melbourne Cup, he’s had a run down there and I think he’ll suit Flemington very well. Two miles there should suit him.

“We always thought he’d be a stayer if he settled and he’s doing that now. He’s got a good weight and if he can relax into it, I think he’ll come home strong.

“We’ve got James McDonald to ride him for a bit of local knowledge as he was available.”