Hong Kong-based Italian jockey Andrea Atzeni has been booked for the ride on British stayer Meydaan, who will contest both the Caufield and Melbourne Cups.

Atzeni rode Zardozi in both Cups last year and will renew his association with trainers Simon and Ed Crisford when he comes to Melbourne next week.

“He used to ride a lot for us before he went out to Hong Kong and he’s halfway here now, I suppose,” said Paul Holley, the Crisfords’ travelling foreman. “He’ll be coming down.”

The Crisfords have clearly identified the right horses to bring to Melbourne for the Cups. Without A Fight struck an unsuitably wet Flemington track in 2022 before joining the Freedman stable, while in 2023 they came agonisingly close in the Caulfield Cup with West Wind Blows.

Holley believes that Meydaan is still an improving horse.

“He’s a little bit different to West Wind Blows but I think now he’s learning, he’s still learning to race really,” Holley explained. “He was doing it the wrong way round last season but he’s growing up all the time and I think we’re going to see the best of him still to come.”

While Meydaan has only won twice in his career, he does boast strong recent form. The son of Frankel ran third in the G3 September Stakes at Kempton in the United Kingdom last start, behind Giavellotto and Kalpana.

“You look back at that race and they came out, Giavellotto and Kalpana, they both ran great races in the Arc,” Holley said. “It looks good for us really, so hopefully we can have a good run here.”

Holley said that Meydaan will have a look around Caulfield next on before contesting the Cup at the same venue four days later.

Meydaan is at $9 in Sportsbet’s Caulfield Cup market and a $34 chance with them for the Melbourne Cup.

WATCH: Meydaan’s latest run

🥈 Kalpana, favorite du Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a été battue par Giavellotto (@oismurphy) dans les September Stakes (Gr. 3) à Kempton Park 🇬🇧

📈 La pouliche de @JuddmonteFarms voit sa cote passer de 6 à 10/1 pour l’édition 2025 du #QPAT pic.twitter.com/82jIBzdxH4

— Equidia (@equidia) September 6, 2025