UPDATE: Champion jockey James McDonald is expressing strong confidence in his mount, Meydaan, ahead of the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup on November 7, 2023. Just moments ago, McDonald completed a successful training session at Werribee, where he rode the English stayer in preparation for the prestigious race.
McDonald, who replaces Hong Kong-based rider Andrea Atzeni, reported, “He’s going really well and I can’t wait to ride him in Tuesday’s cup. The horse can’t be any fitter and he couldn’t look any better.” Meydaan is currently priced at $11 in the Melbourne Cup markets, but insiders expect his odds to shorten following McDonald’s glowing assessment.
During the trackwork session, McDonald clocked Meydaan over 1400m, stating, “I let him bowl along and he really finished it off powerfully.” The jockey emphasized that Meydaan has recovered well after his ninth place finish in the recent Caulfield Cup. He is set to carry 54kg in the Melbourne Cup, which McDonald believes is advantageous.
Co-trainer Ed Crisford added that Meydaan’s performance at Caulfield was hindered by the tight track conditions. “He will be much better suited when stepping up to 3200m on the spacious Flemington circuit,” Crisford noted. This sentiment raises hopes for Meydaan’s potential in the upcoming race.
In a significant turn of events, two contenders, Mark Twain and Quietness, were scratched from the Melbourne Cup today, reducing the field to 38 contenders. The decision follows their performances in the Bendigo Cup, where they finished second and ninth, respectively. Their withdrawal opens the door for other competitors, including Sayedaty Sadaty, who jumped from 35th to 25th in the order of entry after winning the Bendigo Cup.
Leading the odds, the TAB lists the top contenders as: $7 Half Yours, $8 Valiant King, $8 Buckaroo, $8 Presage Nocturne, and $9 Al Riffa, alongside Meydaan at $11.
As the nation gears up for the Melbourne Cup, fans and bettors alike are abuzz with excitement over the potential of Meydaan and McDonald’s expert guidance. With the clock ticking down to race day, all eyes will be on the Flemington track as this thrilling event unfolds.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the race, including last-minute changes and insights from the trainers and jockeys involved.
