Japan-based French jockey Christophe Lemaire has been booked to ride Gold Mount in the Melbourne Cup for English trainer Ian Williams.

Lemaire steered the Mikel Delzangles-trained Dunaden to a famous French victory in the race in 2011 as a late replacement for Craig Williams who was suspended.

Williams brought Magic Circle to Australia for the race last year but he disappointed, finishing well back behind Cross Counter.

Mark Du Plessis will ride Gold Mount in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup with the horse needing to finish in the top eight to confirm his Melbourne Cup berth.

“Gold Mount has been working very nicely and it looks like he’ll get a place in the Caulfield Cup,” Williams told the Racing Post.

“We’re hopeful he can run well there and then take his place in the Melbourne Cup.

“His owners have been keen to go to Australia since he finished fourth in the Dubai Gold Cup in March.”