The Metropolitan is one of three Group 1 events set to take place at Royal Randwick on Saturday and it is another interesting betting race.
There is rarely a short-priced favourite in The Metropolitan and that is the case again in 2017 – you can make a case for just about every horse in the Group 1 event.
We have taken a close look at all 12 gallopers in The Metropolitan and our complete 2017 The Metropolitan tips can be found below.
Libran
It had been a while since Libran had performed at his best, but he returned to winning form with an upset victory in the Kingston Town Stakes. He has always been a stayer with ability and he will enjoy the step-up to 2400 metres. In saying that, he did get a dream run in transit in the Kingston Town Stakes and he has probably found his right price.
Who Shot Thebarman
The evergreen Who Shot Thebarman continues to run well, but it has now been almost two years since he recorded a race win. There is little doubt that he will run well and you can’t rule him out completely, but he is a horse that has a habit of finding a couple better on the day.
Destiny’s Kiss
Destiny’s Kiss is another veteran stayer that rarely runs a bad race. He was tough as nails in the Wyong Gold Cup, but he was a shade disappointing in the Newcastle Gold Cup and this is a step-up in class again.
Amralah
Amralah has failed to fire in any of his three starts since he returned to the races, but his tough run at The Valley last start may have been exactly what he needed to reach peak fitness. On his best form he would be a leading contender in The Metropolitan and you can never discount Lloyd Williams-owned horses in these type of races. He is worth a small gamble at his current odds.
Big Duke
Big Duke has flown under the radar during the 2017 Spring Racing Carnival and for mine he is the horse to beat in The Metropolitan. I like the fact that Darren Weir has him on the quick back-up following his run in the Naturalism Stakes and he should be ready to peak fourth-up over 2400 metres. There is no doubt that this is his peak trip and if he can return to the form that he showed when he won the Manion Cup and the Chairman’s Handicap in the Autumn he will be very tough to beat.
Antonio Giuseppe
The Kingston Town Stakes looked like the perfect race for Antonio Giuseppe and he loomed as the winner, but was outsprinted by Libran late. There are doubts over the ability of Antonio Giuseppe to run out a strong 2400 metres – although he does map to get a lovely run into the race with Joao Moreira in the saddle. He is another that is definitely in with a chance, but doesn’t represent any real value at his current price.
Chocante
Chocante is a proven stayer that will relish the step-up in trip to 2400 metres, but whether he has the class to win The Metropolitan is a question mark. He was flattered when he finished third behind Winx in the Chelmsford Stakes and the majority of this field beat him home in the Kingston Town Stakes.
Broadside
Broadside led from start to finish to record a tough win in the Newcastle Gold Cup and he was not disgraced in the Colin Stephen Quality last weekend. There is no doubt that he is the fittest horse in this field and Gai Waterhouse does have a good record with stayers on the quick back-up. He will take up the running in the early stages of The Metropolitan and should prove tough to catch late.
Life Less Ordinary
Life Less Ordinary has raced well without winning this preparation and his profile suggests that he should relish the step-up in trip to 2400 metres. The wide barrier draw is an advantage as it does give Kerrin McEvoy plenty of options. Life Less Ordinary is probably the best chance that Chris Waller has in this race, but it is still tough to get him as short as his current price.
Foundry
Foundry had a long time away from the race and there has been plenty to like about his two race starts to date this preparation. There is no doubt that he is something of a non-winner, but there is no doubt that he is heading in the right direction and he should be set to peak at 2400 metres. Lloyd Williams would not have him in this race if he did not thing he was a genuine winning chance.
Loresho
Loresho has had plenty of starts this preparation already and he has improved each time that he has been seen at the races. I’m not sure that he has the class required to win The Metropolitan, but there are far worse $51 chances in a Group 1.
My Diamantine
My Diamantine will make her Group 1 debut after she finished third in the Ipswich Spring Stayers Cup. She is a tough mare on her day and she rarely runs a bad race, but this does look like a step too far for her.