The Metropolitan Handicap, held over 2400m at Royal Randwick Racecourse, is the premier staying race on the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival calendar. First run way back in 1863, the $750k mile and a quarter contest is rich in history and often used as a lead up race to both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. The David Payne trained, Montefilia, took out last year’s Metrop and gave Hugh Bowman his 100th Group 1 winner.
Looking at the market for this year’s staying feature, Dabble has Chris Waller’s in form stayer, Durston, favourite at $3.50. Le Don De Vie ($6.50), Stockman ($7.00) and Grove Ferry ($8.00) are also in contention and it’s $10 or longer the rest.
However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and the 2400m at Randwick will be a real test for these gallopers. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Metropolitan Handicap along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Stockman (4) – $7.00
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 56.5kg
Trainer – Joseph Pride
Made steady ground in the Kingston Town last start behind Alegron. Looks primed for this fourth run back and will grow a leg if the track gets into the heavy range. One of the main hopes.
2. Le Don De Vie (3) – $6.50
Jockey – James McDonald 56kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Resumes here after a short freshen. Bolted in the Caloundra Cup two starts ago at this trip on heavy ground. Best form is definitely good enough but can mix his form.
3. Kukeracha (1) – $41
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 55kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Hasn’t done much this prep and his Randwick record is nothing to write home about. He might improve third up and out to 2400m here, but on form alone he’s hard to have.
4. Arapaho (11) – $12
Jockey – Rachel King 54.5kg
Trainer – Bjorn Baker
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Join us for a huge day of racing, featuring FOUR GROUP 1s 🏆🏆🏆🏆@JaseRicho @defier1 pic.twitter.com/JvQEFhEgPS
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 28, 2022
Ran an honest race last start in the Newcastle Cup behind Durston. Has good form around this trip and excels on wet ground. Can’t be left out of calculations.
5. Mankayan (12) – $14
Jockey – Jason Collett 54.5kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Good win at Moonee Valley before an even effort last start in the Newcastle Cup where he drifted noticeably in the market. Should be fitter for that run and loves the sting out. Each way chance.
6. No Compromise (5) – $10
Jockey – Tommy Berry 53.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Racing well this prep without a win. Step up to 2400m here looks ideal and he should get a nice run in transit from the soft draw. Right in the mix.
7. Durston (8) – $3.50F
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 53kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Won the Wyong Cup in good style before blowing them away last start in the Newcastle Cup. Gets in light here and off the back of his last two runs, it’s hard to knock him. Looks the one to beat.
8. Sacramento (9) – $34
Jockey – Tim Clark 53kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Hasn’t done much in two runs back this prep including last start in the Newcastle Cup. Should be ready to peak third up but needs to find a few lengths and doesn’t want the track too wet.
Hear from the key players following the barrier draw for this Saturday’s #TABEpsom and @FurphyBeer Metropolitan! 🎤@tabcomau @racing_nsw @GaiWaterhouse1 @Godolphin @Rob_Arch1 @AndrewAdkins103
Tickets 🎟️ https://t.co/cpZeyK7jsV pic.twitter.com/aO3GL3pLYp
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) September 27, 2022
9. Surefire (13) – $10
Jockey – William Pike 52kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
*This horse has since been scratched.*
Brilliant winner first up over 1400m who wasn’t far away last start in the Kingston Town. Has a good record this trip and handles all conditions. Not without a hope.
10. Realm Of Flowers (10) – $23
Jockey – Reece Jones (a) 51kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman
Made good late ground last start in the Tattersalls Club Cup this track/distance. Will drift back again from the gate and be saved for one crack at them. Best form is good enough and is capable with no weight on her back.
11. Grove Ferry (14) – $8.00
Jockey – Winona Ciaron 51kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
On the seven day back up after a strong win in G3 company last Saturday. Should be rock hard fit and the trip is no issue. Has claims.
12. Carif (6) – $51
Jockey – Andrew Adkins 51kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Genuine stayer who led and battled on well behind Durston last start at Newcastle. Has a poor winning record but is never far away once he gets over the longer journeys. Place hope.
13. Francesco Guardi (15) – $61
Jockey – Alysha Collett 51kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
*This horse has since been scratched.*
Disappointing effort last start in the Kingston Town following a string of consistent runs. Steps up to 2400m now which is a query and probably needs to find a bit if he’s to be a winning hope.
14. Chalk Stream (2) – $23
Jockey – Kathy O’Hara 51kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Chalk Stream was sent to @cwallerracing last year by Her Majesty, but will race under the banner of King Charles III for the first time in the @FurphyBeer Metropolitan this Saturday 👑 📝 H/T @ChrisRoots1 #TABEpsom #SydneyEverestCarnival
🎟 Tickets: https://t.co/cpZeyK7jsV pic.twitter.com/5o3mjfDzt9
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) September 29, 2022
*This horse has since been scratched.*
Well beaten in both runs back this prep. Stays at 2400m which is his pet trip and gets a host of host changes to try and spark some improvement. Good enough on his day but happy to watch him go around here.
15. Hameron (7) – $13
Jockey – Jay Ford 51kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
On the seven day back up after attacking the line well last Saturday in BM88 grade. His rating and recent form on paper probably suggests he’s not up to G1 level but he’s untapped and the 2400m looks ideal. Don’t write him off.
Final Word
Sydney’s leading trainer, Chris Waller, looks to have a tight grip on this year’s Metropolitan Handicap, with seven of the final acceptances in his name, including the favourite, Durston.
There doesn’t look to be a stack of speed on paper, with the Waterhouse/Bott trained, Sacramento, the likely leader. Showers are forecast throughout the week and into the weekend which should ensure the track is no better than soft.
“He’s number one, the others you can state a case for all of them.”
The track condition is the only concern Chris Waller has about Metropolitan favourite Durston as he eyes a fifth win in Saturday’s Group 1 at Randwick. 📸Steve Hart
READ: https://t.co/R0ipbGtAzt pic.twitter.com/qBs5adq755
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 28, 2022
Going with one of Waller’s seven runners, No Compromise, on top. All three runs this prep have been full of merit and he loves the 2400m. He should land a nice spot from the good gate, and be hard to beat with 53.5kg on his back.
Stockman looks the class runner of the race and the logical danger. He got to the line nicely last start in the Kingston Town and will be better suited up to the mile and a quarter here. Any rain will only enhance his chances.
Race favourite, Durston, is absolutely flying and there’s no knock on him here. He blew them away last start in the Newcastle Cup and with the right run, can make it three wins on the trot.
Le Don De Vie, Realm Of Flowers and Hameron can’t be left out of calculations and all should relish 2400m on the big Randwick track.
Metropolitan Handicap Tip
6. No Compromise – Each-way ($10/$3.30)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
