Champion jockey James McDonald has seen enough. After watching international raider Meydaan stretch his legs in a crucial trackwork session, racing's premier rider believes he might have found his Melbourne Cup weapon.
The excitement was palpable as McDonald spoke about the Godolphin stayer's impressive preparation, describing the horse's movement as "electric" and suggesting he possesses all the qualities needed to conquer Australia's greatest race.
A Jockey's Dream
"He's exactly what you look for in a Melbourne Cup horse," McDonald gushed, his voice brimming with anticipation. "When you see a stayer move like that, it sends shivers down your spine. He's got the pedigree, the build, and now he's showing the track presence that makes you think 'this is the one'."
The International Factor
Meydaan represents the powerful global racing operation Godolphin, bringing international flair to this year's spring carnival. His potential path to the Melbourne Cup could include a start in the Caulfield Cup, giving Australian racing fans an early look at the emerging stayer.
McDonald, no stranger to big-race success after his 2021 Melbourne Cup triumph, was particularly impressed by how the horse handled the Australian conditions and track surface, noting his adaptability could prove crucial come November.
Spring Carnival Buzz Builds
With the spring racing carnival heating up, performances like Meydaan's trackwork session generate exactly the kind of buzz that makes Australian racing so compelling. The combination of an international contender showing genuine promise and one of the sport's best jockey's expressing such confidence creates the perfect storyline heading toward the first Tuesday in November.
As McDonald put it: "When they work like that, you just want to fast-forward to the big day. This is why we do it - finding these special horses that get your heart racing."
