FEATURE PREVIEWS: THE METROPOLITAN

Track: Sandown | Distance: 1800m | Type: WFA G1 | Rail Position: True | Condition: Good 4 | Prizemoney: $1,000,000

Good 4 Expected to remain.

Click here to view The Underwood market odds on the Betfair Exchange.

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 10 year

• 2nd up (1), 3rd up (5), 4th up (5), 11th up (1)
• 8-day break (1), 14-day break (7), 16-day break (2), 21-day break (2)
• Montefilia was the first mare to win (or even run a place) in the last 12 years.
• Mix of winning weights from 50.5kg to 58kg. Only 1 winner above 55.5kg.
• Waller has won 5 of the last 12, and run 2nd twice.
• Is a race that generally suits on-pacers, with nothing settling worse than 8th on the turn winning in the past 10 years.
• A mix of 4yos to 8yos have won.

Plenty of speed here. Knights Order & Just Fine likely to set the tempo up front.

Hosier, Spirit Ridge, Future History, Wineglass Bay, Major Beel and Military Mission will all be aiming to get good runs in behind forward of midfield.

Navajo Peak, Benaud, Torrens, Bois D’argent & Al Aabir back of midfield.

Cleveland, Kalapour, Ho Ho Khan, Mr Waterville & Manzoice out the back.

1. Knights Order – Should lead and fitter now 3rd up. Not in top form and would likely prefer it wetter but has the class the give this a shake.
3. Cleveland – Highly regarded import who has mixed form in Australia. Maps to get a long way back which isn’t ideal and may not appreciate the firm track.
4. Major Beel – We backed him to win the Australian Derby at $53 BFSP last prep. Ran 2nd in the Chelmsford second up and only beaten 3.6L last start so going solidly. Would have preferred a wetter track but he can figure.
5. Bois D’argent – Was disappointing last start, but was a model of consistency before then. Stable have an exceptional record over this distance range
12. Benaud – Won the Wyong Cup then 2nd in the Kingston Town. Racing consistently.
13. Military Mission – Ran 2nd in the Premiers Cup, then two starts later was impressive winning the Newcastle Cup. Strong chance here.
14. Just Fine – Won first up by 3L then won the Kingston Town G3 by 1.6L last start. Import who is flying here and is a deserved favourite.
16. Future History – Racing consistently well for the Maher/Eustace stable. Is capable of surprising here.

#13 – Military Mission
$14 – Just Fine
#4 – Major Beel
#16 – Future History
#12 – Benaud
#3 – Cleveland

Betting around the odds-on favourite Just Fine.
Military Mission looks a huge price coming off a strong Newcastle Cup win.

BACK 13 – Military Mission – 0.8w
BACK 4 – Major Beel 0.3w
BACK 16 – Future History 0.3w
BACK 12 – Benaud 0.3w
BACK 3 – Cleveland 0.3w

Units Outlayed: 429.0
Units Returned: 466.8
Profit On Turnover: 8.8%

2023 Australian Derby: Major Beel $53.63
2020 Empire Rose Stakes: Shout The Bar $32.60
2020 Melbourne Cup: Twilight Payment $28.26
2022 Blue Diamond Stakes: Daumier $23
2022 William Reid Stakes: September Run $19.50
2021 Randwick Guineas: Lion’s Roar $18.95
2021 Coolmore Classic: Krone $15.50
2022 Australasian Oaks: Glint Of Hope $13.55
2023 TJ Smith Stakes: I Wish I Win $12.80