J-Mac’s high praise of Meydaan in 2025 Melbourne Cup

Following another strong track session at Werribee on Thursday morning, James McDonald’s confidence continues to grow that Meydaan can deliver a peak performance in next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

McDonald has been busy preparing to ride Autumn Glow in the Group 1 Golden Eagle on Saturday, but Meydaan remains front of mind after showing sharp improvement in his second hit-out for the week.

“I can’t wait,” McDonald said.

“He’s done really, really well.”

Despite finishing ninth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, Meydaan made ground late and was beaten less than five lengths by winner Half Yours.

“He has come through Caulfield really well,” McDonald said.

“Even when you feel him he doesn’t seem like the type of horse suited to Caulfield and I think that was evident on his run as well so getting back to the big stretches of Flemington, I think you’ll see a really good version of him.

“He can’t be any fitter, he can’t look any better, he can’t feel any better, so he’ll have every opportunity to run as good a race in the Melbourne Cup as he can.

“I’m quietly excited that he’s a nice, progressive horse on the way up.”

Currently $15 in Cup betting, Meydaan appeals as a well-weighted improver.

“He’s nicely weighted with the 54½-kilos and he’s got the speed of a mile-and-a-half horse and in this day and age that is probably the type of horse that you need for a Melbourne Cup,” McDonald said.

The possibility of wet weather does not trouble McDonald.

“I’d be worried if it became heavy but Flemington is always in such pristine order that is probably won’t be heavy,” he said.

“He’s a good horse, this.”

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