We have The Metropolitan tips and predictions for the Group 2 2400m race at Randwick on Saturday.
The Metropolitan odds have an open field, but the favourite should be tough to beat in the time-honoured race.
Matthew Smith has a nice stayer on his hands with Aethelwulf, who looks to make it four straight wins on Saturday.
The improving stayer is facing some seasoned customers in The Metropolitan, but he’s the rising star in the staying ranks, and if he’s anywhere near his best, he could produce his career-best effort.
He has five wins from seven starts overall, and he made light work of them in the Newcastle Cup. He did what was asked of him on that occasion, and he will have more time to find a rhythm over 2400m at Randwick.
Zac Lloyd should find a good position from barrier 3, and he won’t have to spend a penny in the run. That will make him tough to beat over the final 200m, and we picture him kicking away for a dominant victory for favourite punters.
| 7. Aethelwulf (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 51111 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Dual acceptor. On a four run winning streak. At the latest run favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.5 len in the G3 Newcastle Cup on September 18 over 2300m defeating Steel Blaze carrying 54kg at $1.20. Before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.25 len in a Bm78 at Rosehill on August 29 over 2000m defeating Anthracite carrying 58kg at $1.35. Goes to a new level again and not sure where the ceiling is. | |||
Never underestimate a former European runner in Australia, and The Euphrates showed what he can do when winning at Randwick last start.
He made his own luck in front when kicking away to beat Juja Kibo and Soul of Spain, and that’s a good form guide for the Metrop. He dictated play in front, and Tim Clark will have no trouble finding the lead from barrier 1.
He opened at $4.20 before drifting to $4.80, but with the favourite easing slightly during the week, his odds firmed into $4.60. That’s a good enough price to warrant including him in The Metropolitan predictions.
| 1. The Euphrates (1) J: Tim Clark 59kg 17×41 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $31. Second-up won by 0.9 len in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m defeating Juja Kibo carrying 55kg at $5. Talented import who can measure up again over this trip. | |||
Punters might have to take Green Spaces on trust, but despite failing to fire at Randwick last start, we’re giving him another chance to prove himself.
He’s a quality stayer at his best, and although down on confidence after three moderate efforts this campaign, he is a Group 1 winner, and that class should shine through at Randwick on Saturday.
Rachel King is riding well at present, and if she can find a good spot in running, Green Spaces is a horse who can sit off the speed and come with a sustained run around the outside.
He has been backed at odds after getting to $14, and that’s a good sign ahead of a tough staying race.
| 4. Green Spaces (7) J: Rachel King 56.5kg 1×860 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Most recently 11th of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m, 5.5 len behind The Euphrates with 58kg at $10. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 3 len behind Lindermann carrying 58.5kg at $9. ATC Derby winner set to peak fourth up. | |||
Punters get value odds with our The Metropolitan SRM, which includes our three selected runners.
We have Aethelwulf to Win, The Euphrates Top 3, and Green Spaces Top 5, which pays $7.75 for our three-runner SRM.
There is value with same-race multi picks when anchoring Aethelwulf to win, and he should give punters every chance. The Euphrates and Green Spaces could fill the minors, so include the $7.75 in The Metropolitan tips.
| 1. The Euphrates (1) J: Tim Clark 59kg 17×41 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $31. Second-up won by 0.9 len in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m defeating Juja Kibo carrying 55kg at $5. Talented import who can measure up again over this trip. | |||
| 4. Green Spaces (7) J: Rachel King 56.5kg 1×860 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Most recently 11th of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m, 5.5 len behind The Euphrates with 58kg at $10. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 3 len behind Lindermann carrying 58.5kg at $9. ATC Derby winner set to peak fourth up. | |||
| 7. Aethelwulf (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 51111 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Dual acceptor. On a four run winning streak. At the latest run favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.5 len in the G3 Newcastle Cup on September 18 over 2300m defeating Steel Blaze carrying 54kg at $1.20. Before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.25 len in a Bm78 at Rosehill on August 29 over 2000m defeating Anthracite carrying 58kg at $1.35. Goes to a new level again and not sure where the ceiling is. | |||
Latest The Metropolitan 2026 Odds
The Metropolitan 2026 Odds
| 1. The Euphrates (1) J: Tim Clark 59kg 17×41 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $31. Second-up won by 0.9 len in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m defeating Juja Kibo carrying 55kg at $5. Talented import who can measure up again over this trip. | |||
| 2. Soul Of Spain (5) J: James McDonald 58.5kg 2×683 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. At the latest run made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m, 1.5 len behind The Euphrates with 56kg at $3.90. Before that ran second last of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 4 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $61. Should have won this race last year with the 50.5kg, place best. | |||
| 3. Deakin (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56.5kg x5x38 T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up came from midfield; 3rd of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, slow going 1.2 len behind Kingswood with 57.5kg at $51. Second run from a spell 8th of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 2 len behind Zahrann carrying 55.5kg at $7. Coming along nicely and is a great chance to atone. | |||
| 4. Green Spaces (7) J: Rachel King 56.5kg 1×860 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Most recently 11th of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m, 5.5 len behind The Euphrates with 58kg at $10. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 3 len behind Lindermann carrying 58.5kg at $9. ATC Derby winner set to peak fourth up. | |||
| 5. Juja Kibo (4) J: Sam Clipperton 56.5kg 39×32 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up ran on from midfield; 3rd of 11 in the LR Hawkesbury Rowley Mile on August 20 over 1600m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Narbold with 56kg at $11. Second-up raced on the pace when 2nd of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m, 0.9 len behind The Euphrates carrying 55kg at $7. Ran third here last year and can measure up again. | |||
| 7. Aethelwulf (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 51111 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Dual acceptor. On a four run winning streak. At the latest run favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.5 len in the G3 Newcastle Cup on September 18 over 2300m defeating Steel Blaze carrying 54kg at $1.20. Before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.25 len in a Bm78 at Rosehill on August 29 over 2000m defeating Anthracite carrying 58kg at $1.35. Goes to a new level again and not sure where the ceiling is. | |||
| 8. Thebudgiesmugla (9) J: Dylan Gibbons 55kg 61144 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 8 in the LR City Tatt’s Club Cup at this track on September 5 over 2400m, 3 len behind So You Are with 59kg at $2.90. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 8 in the G3 Premier’s Cup at this track on August 22 over 2000m, on a slow track; 1.1 len behind Boniface with 55kg at $6. Looks a strong top-three prospect in this tougher contest. | |||
| 10. Athabascan (6) J: Jason Collett 54kg 545×0 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months ran last of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at this track on September 19 over 2000m, 8 len behind The Euphrates carrying 56kg at $151. Previously second-up made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 9 in the LR Randwick City Stakes (Canterbury Cup) at this track on March 7 over 2000m, 1.2 len behind Campaldino with 54.5kg at $41. Fitter again but prefer to see a return to form. | |||
| 12. Pinhole (10) J: Tyler Schiller 53kg 12×31 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 3rd of 11 in a Bm94 at this track on September 5 over 1600m, 1.4 len behind The Mona Lisa carrying 52.5kg at $21. Second run from a spell won by a nose in a Bm88 at Rosehill on September 26 over 1900m defeating Starzintheireyes with 57kg at $12. Best form is over this trip and stays in the mix. | |||
| 13. Steel Blaze (8) J: Reece Jones 53kg 89362 T: Brett Lazzarini | |||
| Most recently 2nd of 7 in the G3 Newcastle Cup on September 18 over 2300m, 2.5 len behind Aethelwulf carrying 54kg at $101. The race before that from last on the turn ran second last of 7 in the LR Wyong Gold Cup on September 4 over 2100m, 2.5 len behind Matusalem carrying 54kg at $101. Looking to others. | |||
| 6. Valiant King (1) Scratched: | |||
| 9. Piggyback (7) Scratched: | |||
| 11. Mr Monaco (12) Scratched: | |||