Northumberland Plate winner Antiquarium's next start will give Godolphin a better idea whether he is a genuine Melbourne Cup contender.

The four-year-old came with a late finish to win Saturday's 3200m-handicap for leading Sydney jockey James McDonald who is riding in England during the Australian winter.

"Antiquarium won the Plate, running off a mark of 99, and he will obviously go up in the handicap," John Ferguson, Godolphin's chief executive and racing manager, said.

"His next run will tell us more about the feasibility of Melbourne."

McDonald said he was enjoying his time in England but keeping a close watch on what was happening at home.

"I have been told that I will get more rides for Godolphin in the near future, but how long I stay in Britain this time is up to people in higher positions than I occupy," he said on the Godolphin website.

"All the while, I have one eye on the Sydney jockeys' championship, which I am attempting to win back from Hugh Bowman.

"I believe I am currently 29 wins ahead, and the season ends on July 31. Although this is a comfortable buffer, it is still worth monitoring."