The Metropolitan is the second of three Group One features taking place at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Run over the 2400m journey, the staying test boasts a steep history having first taken place back in 1863.
This years edition will see a full field of eighteen runners face the judge as they look to add their names to the honour roll.
For our thoughts on every horse, you can find our race preview below. (Prices current at time of publish)
1. Kalapour (22)
Price: $35.00
Kalapour hasn’t threatened in two runs back this campaign but the eight year old does boast an impressive third up record.
He finished third in this race last year before going on to salute in the Lexus Stakes two runs later, where he gained himself a start in the 2023 Melbourne Cup.
A quality stayer, he’s certainly earned himself the top weight here but with the outside draw he has a tough task ahead.
2. Military Mission (1)
Price: $26.00
Military Mission has been well beaten in two runs back this time in but will appreciate the rise in trip.
He won the Newcastle Gold Cup last year before finishing fourth in this race and then went on to take out the Herbert Power Stakes and Sandown Stakes.
A class horse on his day, he’s certainly capable if he runs up to his best.
On his recent form it’s hard to include him but he gets the inside draw and the Waterhouse / Bott team will have him ready to go.
3. Serpentine (18)
Price: $11.00
Serpentine come off a very encouraging first up performance in the Kingston Town Stakes and the gelding is sure to have taken plenty of improvement from it.
Taking up his customary role in the lead, he just felt the pinch over the final 150m but with the added fitness and rise to 2400m, he look well suited.
With five wins to his name, including an Epsom Derby, the son of Galileo certainly isn’t lacking in class and if he can overcome the wide draw without burning too much petrol early, he’ll be in it for a long way.
4. Que Tempesta (12)
Price: $14.00
Que Tempesta is one of the most intriguing runners here.
Prepared by the Hayes team, the Irish bred gelding kicked off his career in Italy and has only had the two Australian starts.
His first up run in the Heatherley suggested he was in for big campaign when well supported last time in the Naturalism he just wanted to lay in and get his head up but was still strong through the line.
The bubble cheeker and nose roll go on here as looks to correct that.
His Italian form reads well, he’s continued to perform consistently and was victorious in his only stakes race, which was over the 2400m at Group 2 level.
He’ll certainly appreciate the rise in trip and if Craig Williams can get the best out of him, he’ll be right in this.
5. Alegron (5)
Price: $13.00
Alegron has just had the one run back this campaign and he was under pressure turning into the home straight and just held his ground to the line.
The Teofilo gelding took out the Brisbane Cup over the two mile journey during their Winter Carnival and was successful in the VRC St Leger as a three year old, so he’s proven himself a genuine stayer and is sure to be strong late.
He strips fitter here and will appreciate getting out over more ground but I think we’ll see more from him as he gets deeper into his preparation.
6. Cleveland (19)
Price: $81.00
Cleveland came in fifth in this race last year before finishing second in the VRC St Ledger and then proving superior in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
He wasn’t seen again until the Brisbane Winter Carnival where he was well beaten in two runs.
The former European galloper resumed a fortnight ago in the Premier’s Cup where he again failed to beat a runner home.
The blinkers come off here, a crossover noseband will be applied but it’s hard to see him being competitive on the back of his most recent runs.
7. Athabascan (9)
Price: $18.00
Athabascan hasn’t shown a lot in two starts back this preparation but he does normally take a couple of runs to come to hand.
He did win at his only start over the 2400m here and that was at his third up run in the Listed Tatt’s Cup this time last year.
A son of Almanzor, he’s a very capable galloper on his day but he will have to step it up a level to be winning this.
8. Trust In You (14)
Price: $91.00
Trust In You has just had the one run on Australian soil and was well beaten after getting a long way back.
The Kiwi visitor brings solid New Zealand form and was successful in the Group Three Queen Elizabeth Cup over 2400m on New Years Day.
He’s won two from three over this trip so he’ll certainly appreciate stepping over further but I think he may need a wet track to bring him into contention.
9. El Bodegon (SCR)
10. Zardozi (10)
Price: $10.00
Zardozi finished off strongly at her first two starts this campaign but just failed to let down last time when sitting closer to the speed.
The Godolphin mare brings the strongest formlines into this race and has well and truly proven herself at the top level.
The VRC Oaks winner and Australian Oaks runner up, she’ll relish getting out the mile and a half, and from the draw I’d expect to see her settle back and be powering home late.
11. Future History (3)
Price: $9.00
Future History comes here in top order following two very pleasing performances this time in.
The son of Showcasing failed to fire last campaign but he showed plenty of talent last Spring, with a win in the The Bart Cummings and third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
A very capable galloper on his day, he’ll relish the rise to 2400m and is set to enjoy a cosy run from the low draw.
12. Star Of India (SCR)
13. Etna Rosso (13)
Price: $9.50
Etna Rosso presents here in fine form having saluted in two of his four appearances this campaign.
With only the twelve race starts, the Irish import is continuing to rise through the grades and looks well suited lining up here.
He didn’t seem to handle the tight turning track at Wyong but proved too good last start at Newcastle, letting down strongly to take out the Cup.
Kerrin McEvoy knows him well, he stays in the saddle and the extra 100m looks ideal.
14. Land Legend (7)
Price: $8.00
Land Legend kicked off his Australian racing career in style when taking out the St Leger here just under twelve months ago.
Prepared by James Ferguson at the time, the son of Galileo was left here under the care of Chris Waller and resumed five weeks ago where he failed to beat a runner home in a BM100m.
Sent back to the trials, he then contested the Kingston Town Stakes where he just wanted to overrace but stuck on well for fifth, given the tough run he gave himself.
He strips fitter here, he’ll relish the rise to 2400m and if he Reece Jones can get him to relax, he’ll be strong late.
15. First Light (2)
Price: $9.50
First Light charged his way into this field with a commanding win in the Colin Stephen Quality last Saturday.
The seven year old son of Dubawi has improved with each outing this preparation and relished the genuine tempo last time to power over the top of them late.
He’s continued to race well and work his way through the benchmark grades in recent campaigns and proved far too good at his first ever appearance at group level.
Whilst he does have to take it to a new level, he’s a four time winner over the 2400m and with the low draw and 50kgs on his back, he’s certainly not without a chance.
16. Manzoice (SCR)
17. Berkshire Breeze (SCR)
18. Wyclif (20)
Price: $23.00
Wyclif is deep into preparation and has been performing well, finishing the runner up in two most recent runs.
A winner of six races, two of which have been at Listed level, the eight year old is a very capable stayer but looks tested here in this grade.
Barrier 20 certainly won’t afford him any favours either.
19. Immediacy (21)
Price: $17.00
Immediacy took all before him early on, kicking off his career with three straight wins including the Autumn Stakes.
He then stepped out in the Australian Derby and Rosehill Guineas where he finished a very credible fifth on both occasions.
Given the two runs back this time in, he‘s been finishing off strongly and gives the impression he’s looking for further.
Whilst I do think he has a big future ahead I just think it might be too soon for him and barrier 21 will make it tough.
20. Strathtay (11)
Price: $23.00
Strathtay is another that is deep into his campaign and he has been racing well.
He recorded a decisive win over this track and distance three runs back before stepping up to stakes level, where he finished third in the Listed Tatts Cup.
He turned out another solid effort last time to again finish third in the Colin Stephen Quality.
Only relatively lightly raced he continues to improve but this might be out his reach at this point.
21. Unusual Legacy (4)
Price: $6.00
Unusual Legacy has made his way into the field after early scratchings.
He proved superior second when stepping out to 1800m and just went down narrowly last time over 1900m.
A winner of five from nine, the former New Zealander has continued to work with his grades with ease and looks destined for bigger and better things.
Barrier four will see him enjoy a cosy run throughout and the rise to 2400m looks ideal for this son of Unusual Suspect.
22. Matusalem (8)
Price: $19.00
Matusalem also gains a start and comes in career best form off back to back wins.
He was dominant when saluting over 2000m at Rosehill two runs back and when having his first crack at 2400m last time, he again proved superior.
This is a big step up in grade to what he has previously contested but he’s a horse on the way up and is sure to be competitive.
Selections:
1st – Zardozi
2nd – Unusual Legacy
3rd – First Light
4th – Serpentine
5th – Que Tempesta