James McDonald has strengthened his confidence in Meydaan’s Melbourne Cup chances after another encouraging morning at Werribee, where he partnered the stayer for the second time this week.

Although McDonald will first turn his attention to Autumn Glow, the short-priced favourite in the Group 1 Golden Eagle, Meydaan remains a key spring focus after producing another sharp gallop on Thursday.

“I can’t wait,” McDonald said.

“He’s done really, really well.”

Meydaan endured an interrupted run but still finished close-up when ninth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup on October 18. The performance left McDonald convinced the horse would be much better suited to Flemington.

“He has come through Caulfield really well,” he 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.”

At $15 in early markets, Meydaan appeals to McDonald due to his racing style and his allocated Cup weight.

“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,” he said.

Forecast showers are of little concern.

“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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