He has had a Group One ride on Derby Day at Flemington and taken in the atmosphere of a city parade.

Now it's time for the Melbourne Cup for visiting jockey Andrea Atzeni.

The 23-year-old Italian is based in England and rides UK mare My Ambivalent in Tuesday's $6 million Cup and can't wait after a build-up he describes as unlike anything he has seen before.

Atzeni took in the annual Melbourne Cup parade through the city centre on Monday ahead of his first ride in Australia's biggest race.

"It's my first time in Melbourne and I've never seen anything like it," Atzeni said.

"For us, Royal Ascot is massive. And we've got Goodwood. We've got some big meetings and obviously we get good crowds, but I've never seen anything like here. To get in a car and go down the main street, there was so many people and a great experience."

My Ambivalent was scratched from the Caulfield Cup because of a stone bruise and goes into the Melbourne Cup first-up since late June.

Atzeni finished third on My Ambivalent's Roger Varian-trained stablemate Farraaj in Saturday's Group One Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) after enduring a tough run from a wide gate.

He is hoping for a better result in the Melbourne Cup.

"The filly is in great form. She's moving really well. I think she'll run a big race," Atzeni said.

"Whether she'll be good enough to win the race, I don't know. But if she can finish in the first five I'll be more than happy."

Atzeni will become the No.1 rider for Qatar Racing next year and expects to be back for future Cups.