Meydaan in line for Cup honours

They after all did bring 2023 winner Without A Fight to Australia in 2022 when he finished 13th behind Gold Trip before he was left in the care of Anthony and Sam Freedman when successful. 

The father-and-son Crisford team had West Wind Blows run second to former stablemate Without A Fight in the 2023 Caulfield Cup and are back for a third tilt at a major Australian prize with Meydaan who runs in the Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday. 

Meydaan finished ninth in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) behind Half Yours on October 18 as his lead up run to Australia's great race where he will be ridden by James Mcdonald. 

Leaving no stones unturned, McDonald has made several trips to Werribee to partner Meydaan in work ahead of Tuesday's assignment. 

Ed Crisford came to Melbourne for Meydaan's Caulfield Cup outing and returned to Australia on Friday to oversee the final stages of the stayers Melbourne Cup preparation. 

"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." 

Crisford said he hopes the predicted heavy rain does not eventuate but would not mind the track to be in the soft range. 

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting between 20 and 40mm of rain on Monday and one to ten mils on Tuesday. 

Flemington has good drying capabilities, and if the rain does not fall on Tuesday, the track will improve during the day if the predicted rain does eventuate on Monday. 

"I think he prefers some softer ground than firmer ground," Crisford 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." 

Crisford said the engagement of McDonald came about with owner Sheikh Al Maktoum wanting an Australian rider after Andrea Atzeni had the steer 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."