Calls for Melbourne Cup rule change as James McDonald reveals two horses he'd love to be on

There have been calls for change to the Lexus Melbourne Cup after superstar jockey James McDonald unfortunately missed out on racing due to a weight rule. McDonald has been the in-form jockey at the Melbourne Cup having already won on Cloudland.

However, McDonald found it difficult to take to the field in race seven at the Melbourne Cup - featuring a record number of female jockeys - having weighed-in at 55kg. Fellow jockey Declan Bates was able to make a ride on Manzoice during the Melbourne Cup's big race after a late call-up.

Although Bates will race 1kg over the limit, which is the closest he can get to Manzoice's 50kg weight. Bates told Racing.com he didn't want to chase the opportunity to ride Manzoice because the best he could get down to was 51kg.

But when the opportunity came knocking he didn't want to turn down a chance of winning the $8.5 million race. “Because he had 50kg, I didn’t go chasing the ride, but I think they were struggling to find someone because they called up and asked what weight I could ride at,” he said. “I said 51kg would be my minimum, and they were happy to have me on even being a kilo over."

James McDonald to miss $8.5 Melbourne Cup race

Bates feels Racing Victoria needs to have a look at changing their rules to meet other standards for governing bodies. McDonald is one of the best jockeys heading into Melbourne Cup day - having also won race 2 on Cloudland - but won't be racing come the big race. There has been instability leading into the race with a number of scratchings resulting in the top weigh tracking in at 55.5kg.

McDonald rides at 55kg and after Sistina's withdrawal from the Melbourne Cup he was unlikely to meet the criteria for another horse. “The public want to see the best jockeys, but from our perspective it’s all about taking the opportunities you get,” Bates added.

“It’s good to see some lightweight jockeys taking advantage of the situation, and I guess that’s what I’ve done as well. But in 2024, there’s not as many jockeys walking around at 50kg as there were maybe 30 years ago."

James McDonald looks at Melbourne Cup race

Last year, McDonald had to cut weight to reach 51kg to ride Caufield Cup horse Francesco Gaurdi. McDonald hadn't raced at at that weight since 2021. McDonald told SEN Radio he would like to ride Sea King and and Zardozi if he was part of the race. “It’s obviously hard,” McDonald told SENTrack.

“That Sea King win in the Bendigo Cup was unbelievable, it was so impressive.” He then added: “Also, Zardozi’s Melbourne Cup trial on Saturday was good, I’d love to see James Cummings win it because he’s obviously done it with the unique path with the back up and it worked so well for Zardozi last year with the Oaks and she’s such a good horse. Again, does she run the 3200m? It’s quite interesting but it’s a pretty open race to be fair.”