UK training duo Simon and Ed Crisford are no strangers to identifying a genuine Melbourne Cup type.
They brought Without A Fight to Australia in 2022, where he ran 13th behind Gold Trip before later staying on to win the Cup in 2023 under the care of Anthony and Sam Freedman.
Last year, their stayer West Wind Blows finished runner-up to that same horse in the Caulfield Cup, and now the Crisfords return with another contender in Meydaan, who lines up in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Meydaan comes into the Cup following a ninth-place finish in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18, and he will again be partnered by leading jockey James McDonald.
McDonald has made multiple trips to Werribee to ride the four-year-old in his key pieces of work leading into Cup Day.
Ed Crisford, who returned to Melbourne on Friday, said the horse has thrived since that Caulfield Cup effort.
“The horse is great. He’s woken up a bit. He looks fantastic,” Crisford said.
“Genuinely, he’s really spot on.
“James has come in and ridden him in a couple of breezes and was very happy with the horse.
“His condition is good, his weight is good.
“He’s got the 22 spot, that’s not ideal, but hopefully on a wet track, being on the outside is better than being on the inside.”
The forecast suggests the weather may play a significant role. Heavy rain is expected on Monday, with further showers possible on Cup Day.
Crisford said Meydaan handles softer ground but hopes the track doesn’t deteriorate too far.
“I think he prefers some softer ground than firmer ground,” he said.
“If it goes heavy, I don’t know. We’ll have to see, but if it’s soft, I think we’ll be OK.”
The booking of McDonald came after owner Sheikh Al Maktoum requested a local jockey, replacing Andrea Atzeni who rode the horse at Caulfield.
“The owner always said he wanted a local jockey and he (McDonald) was available,” Crisford said.
“We’ll have to leave it up to James now, there’s nothing we can do from that draw.”
If you’re looking to bet on the race, be sure to compare odds and offers at Australia’s leading betting sites before placing your wager.
