FEATURE PREVIEWS: THE METROPOLITAN

Track: Randwick | Distance: 1800m | Type: WFA G1 | Rail Position: +3m | Condition: Soft 5 | Prizemoney: $1,000,000

Recent winners list isn’t overly impressive to be honest and most winners haven’t gone on to do much else. Is a race where a nicely priced winner can bob up however, so is a good betting proposition.

Historical Profiling: Trends from the last 13 years

• 1^st up (0/2), 2nd up (1/9), 3rd up (6/56), 4th up (5/69), 5th up+ (1/53)
• 7-day break (0/30), 8-day break (1/1), 14-day break (8/82), 15-day break (0/39), 16-day break (2/14), 21-day break (2/14), 28+-day break (0/9)
• Barrier 1-4 (8/52), 5-8 (3/52), 9+ (2/85)
• Gelding (10/146), Entire (2/24), Mare (1/19)
• Only 1 mare has won and 1 run a place in 13 years.
• Gear Change (0/31)
• Career Starts 6-13 (1/29), 14-17 (5/39), 18-22 (0/35), 23-29 (6/38), 30+ (1/48)
• Exchange Rank 1-4 (10/52), 5-9 (3/65), 10+ (0/72)
• Exchange Dividend $1-$11 (11/54), $12+ (2/135)
• Last Start Distance 2000m-2040m (11/99), 2300m (2/48), 2400m (0/23), Other (0/19)
• Last Start Randwick (7/69), VIC (3/23), Newcastle (2/53), Rosehill (1/41), Other (0/3)
• Predicted Position In Run Pace/Handy (4/55), Midfield (7/57), Back (2/77)
• Mix of winning weights from 50.5kg to 58kg. Only 1/30 winner above 55.5kg.
• Waller has won 5/60 over the last 13 years, and run 2nd another 4 times. Gai Waterhouse has won 2/21 over the last 13 years.
• Is a race that generally suits on-pacers, with nothing settling worse than 8th on the turn winning in the past 10 years.

A pretty even mix of 4yos to 8yos have won.

Below average speed here. Serpentine should lead comfortably with Future History in the trail.
Many horses drawn out wide that will need to work to get across on pace, including Kalapour, Cleveland, Manzoice, Que Tempesta and Immediacy.
Zardozi, Matusalem, Land Legend, Unusual Legacy and Military Mission settle midfield.
First Light, Alegron, Athabascan and Strathtay
Etna Rosso, Trust In You, El Bodegon, Wyclif & Star Of India out the back.

1. Kalapour – Won the G1 Tancred last prep over this distance. Has been solid in two 2000m runs this prep. Can surprise at odds.
2. Military Mission – Newcastle Cup, Herbert Power and Zipping Classic winner. Unlucky 4th in this race last year when caught wide no cover. Has been just ok in two runs so far this prep, appearing to be looking for further. Certainly has the ability to figure at odds.
3. Serpentine – 2000m suits better, but will get a soft lead up front.
5. Alegron – Was excellent last prep in QLD. Was solid first up and will be much fitter here.
7. Athabascan – Has run 2nd in the Hotham and 4th in the G1 Tancred in recent preps. Was hitting the lin ok in both starts this prep and will appreciate the step up to 2400m.
10. Zardozi – Ran 2nd in the ATC Oaks last prep, and won the VRC Oaks previously. Appears to race best at Flemington and Rosehill. Mares don’t have a great record in this race.
11. Future History – Always thereabouts and maps to get a beautiful run. Inexperienced rider for the big stage.
13. Etna Rosso – Won a weak and slow Newcastle Cup last start. In good form in weaker grade, but this isn’t a strong Metropolitan.
14. Land Legend – Was very impressive winning the St Leger this time last year. Had a long break and was good 2nd up when overraced but ran 6th. Looking for the 2400m here.
16. Future History – Racing consistently well for the Maher/Eustace stable. Is capable of surprising here.
21. Unusual Legacy – Having a good prep. Could figure in this if he gets a run.
22. Matusalem – Beat First Light last start, who then won at G3 level comfortably.

14 – Land Legend
2 – Military Mission
1 – Kalapour
7 – Athabascan