A field of seventeen will line up in the 2019 Group 1 The Metropolitan over 2400m at Randwick on Saturday.

Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller has a great chance to win back to back Metropolitans after securing six spots in the $750,000 staying contest with Shraaoh, Wu Gok, Come Play With Me, Haripour and last year’s quinella Patrick Erin and Brimham Rocks.

Gai Waterhouse will be chasing a ninth win in The Metropolitan and this year will team up with co-trainer Adrian Bott with last Saturday’s Colin Stephen Quality winner Stampede and Newcastle Gold Cup winner Hush Writer.

Sir Charles Road will be representing the Kiwis and the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained stayer is coming off a last start fifth at Randwick in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).

We have analysed all seventeen runners and our complete 2019 The Metropolitan tips can be found below.

Shraaoh

Shraaoh is the first of Chris Waller’s six Metropolitan runners and showed his staying ability during the 2019 Sydney Autumn Carnival with a win in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick. The English import is yet to fire at two runs back this campaign but is better suited stepping up to the 2400m of Saturday’s contest with Hugh Bowman in the saddle.

Gallic Chieftain

Gallic Chieftain is another who will be better suited stepping up to the 2400m after an encouraging second up effort when he made up plenty of ground to finish fourth to Brimham Rocks in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield. Trainer Archie Alexandra is expecting further improvement with the blinkers going back on.

Grey Lion

Grey Lion had some handy form during the Autumn and the Winter and ran a mighty race to find the runner’s up stall in the Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm over the same distance as The Metropolitan. Can figure in the minor placings again.

Neufbosc

The Lindsay Park trained French import Neufbosc has been well beaten at his three runs on Australian soil this campaign but will find this tougher than his latest seventh to Brimham Rocks in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on September 21.

Stampede

Stampede charged back into calculations for The Metropolitan with a second in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick followed by a win in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill last Saturday and is lining up for the third week in succession. Stampede has a great chance to give Gai Waterhouse her ninth win in The Metropolitan.

Wu Gok

The Chris Waller trained Wu Gok is racing in great form with wins at his last two starts but will find this tougher than his latest win in the Listed Wyong Cup over 2100m.

Big Duke

Big Duke has had one run back from a spell for a seventh in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 21. Was placed during the 2019 Brisbane Winter Carnival in the 2400m Brisbane Cup and in the 3000m Tattersall’s Cup and will be suited by the step back up to the 2400m of The Metropolitan.

Come Play With Me

The former West Australian trained Come Play With Me has had two runs for new trainer Chris Waller for a second in the 1900m Group 3 Premier’s Cup at Rosehill on August 31 followed by a sixth in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes. Is yet to win beyond 2200m.

Patrick Erin

Patrick Erin won this race last year for Chris Waller but is struggling to regain that winning form. Has been sent out at triple figure odds at his last two starts and raced accordingly. Hard to see back to back Metropolitan wins.

Haripour

The Chris Waller trained Haripour hasn’t set the world alight with his two lead up runs into The Metropolitan and is hard to recommend the six year old on his last start ninth in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Sir Charles Road

Sir Charles Road has the job of flying the flag for the Kiwis and while he hasn’t been placed at his three lead up runs for The Metropolitan, his run when fifth in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick was solid and the step up to 2400m will suit.  

Brimham Rocks

Brimham Rocks appears to be Chris Waller’s best chance of back to back wins in The Metropolitan and the six year old heads back to Sydney looking to go one better than last year when runner up to his stablemate Patrick Erin. Brimham Rocks returned to winning form last start in the MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on September 21. One of the top chances.

Hush Writer

French import Hush Writer has found winning form at the right time and heads to The Metropolitan as a last start winner of the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on September 20. Has drawn a nice barrier and has strong claims with a light weight.

Attention Run

The Kris Lees trained Attention Run chased home Hush Writer when second in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) but it is hard to see the German import figuring in the finish.

Scarlet Dream

Scarlet Dream never threatened at her second run back when seventh in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m at Randwick on September 21. The four year old mare did run second over 2400m at Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Carnival when second in the Group 1 Australian Oaks and will be suited stepping back up to the mile and a half of The Metropolitan.

Supernova

Supernova is a winner over 2400m at Doncaster in England but will have to do better than his last start tenth in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m at Randwick.

The Good Fight

The Good Fight had winning restricted grade form back home in New Zealsn but was always well back in the field last start when sixth in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup over 2300m. Harder here.