Craig Williams is the latest jockey to lock away their Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) ride with Melbourne’s premier jockey to combine with the Chris Waller-trained Youngstar in next week’s $7.3 million event.

Williams, who is chasing his first win in Australia’s most famous race,  on Monday morning to confirm the engagement.

Williams replaces Kerrin McEvoy aboard the four-year-old daughter of High Chaparral, whose most recent outing produced a seventh placing – beaten 4.55 lengths – behind Best Solution in the Caulfield Cup.

A new jockey was required after McEvoy elected to partner the Charlie Appleby-trained Cross Counter in next week’s race.

Youngstar is a $17 chance in Bet365’s Melbourne Cup market, which is headed by Yucatan Ire at $5.