UK raider Meydaan was transported from his base at Werribee to gallop at Caulfield in preparation for the Caulfield Cup.
Caulfield Cup entrant Meydaan has been given the thumbs up after completing a look at the course in preparation for the Group 1 handicap.
Travelling foreman Paul Holley gave the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained galloper the all-clear for Saturday’s 2400m contest after partnering the gelding in a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.
Holley, on his second trip to Australia for the Crisford’s, said Meydaan handled the Caulfield circuit without any concern although he conceded the roomier Flemington circuit may suit better in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4.
“There was a bird, and he had a good look at that down the back, but over the last 600 metres I let him stride on a little bit and I was pleased with him, and he galloped out well,” Holley said.
“He might be better on more of a galloping track like Flemington, but he’s run around Goodwood which is an undulating course.
“All his best runs have been at Goodwood, but I think Caulfield will be OK for him, but I think Flemington would be better again, as Caulfield you are turning all the time.
“Fingers crossed, we’re ready to go.”
Importantly, Holley said Meydaan found his right lead leg turning into the bends on Tuesday before switching legs as he quickened down the Caulfield straight.
Holley said Meydaan, after initially losing weight on the trip to Australia, had picked up quickly and was ‘not leaving an oat’ in preparation for Saturday’s race.
Meydaan is the highest rated in betting of the international brigade and is the $8 second pick behind Half Yours at $2.50.
The Crisford’s are on their third trip to Melbourne seeking Spring Carnival glory.
They brought Without A Fight to Melbourne in 2022 for the Melbourne Cup, finishing 13th behind Gold Trip, before he was transferred into the care of Anthony and Sam Freedman, going on to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double the following year.
In his Caulfield Cup success, Without A Fight defeated the Crisford’s West Wind Blows.
Holley said Meydaan was possibly a similar horse to West Wind Blows.
“I think this horse is going to keep on improving,” Holley said of Meydaan.
“As a younger horse he was doing it the wrong way around. He was too keen early on, but since he’s been gelded, he’s learning to race properly now, and we’ve got the best of him to come, I think.”
Andrea Atzeni has been booked to ride Meydaan on Saturday and Holley said the gelding will hopefully be parked in sixth or seventh position in the run.
The final field with barriers will be declared on Wednesday.
