McDonald misses Derby but lands Meydaan for Cup

The world’s best jockey, James McDonald, might be missing Derby Day to ride Australia’s most exciting horse Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle, but he will be at Flemington for the rest of Cup week after picking up the ride on Meydaan in the Melbourne Cup.

The Frankel five-year-old had no luck in the Caulfield Cup finishing midfield, 4-3/4 lengths from Half Yours, after being trapped three-wide without cover.

McDonald will take over from Hong Kong-based Andrea Atzeni and look for his second Melbourne Cup to sit alongside the one he won on Verry Elleegant in 2021.

Meydaan is a $15 chance in the Melbourne Cup.