The Metropolitan Betting Preview

The Metropolitan is a Group 1 race held at Randwick racecourse in Sydney on Epsom Handicap Day; a huge day of racing including four Group 1 events, the others being the Epsom Handicap, Spring Champion Stakes and the Flight Stakes. The Metropolitan is regarded as the premier staying event of the Sydney spring carnival and is raced over a distance of 2400 metres. It is opened to 3-year-olds and up under handicap conditions and carries prize money of $350,000.

It is a highly prestigious race and has been run since 1866. It was upgraded to Group 1 status in 1979 and has been regarded as one of the most important races on the Sydney racing calendar. The race always attracts a solid field, as the past winners list suggests. Notable winners include Tawqeet, Railings, Natski, Hayai, Belmura Lad and Straight Draw. It was won last year by Newport.

Pay close attention to important lead up races such as the Kingston Town Stakes and Colin Stephen Quality. These are two Group races held several weeks earlier at similar conditions and distance and have been a great guide over the years. The Kingston Town Stakes was won this year by Ready To Lift ahead of Voice Coach and God’s Hand. While the Colin Stephen Quality was won by Mr Clangtastic over Bellagio Wynn and Indikator.

Note: No filly has ever won The Metropolitan. The last 3-year-old to win the race was Marvel Loch in 1903 and the last mare to win was Coco Cobanna in 2000.

2009 Metropolitan Preview

Race 7 on the cards at 3:30. It is a large field of 18 competing here, although Speed Gifted ($3.20) is a short priced favourite, deservedly. Two impressive wins at Flemington were followed by game run from wide barrier at Caulfield and there is no doubt he can win this, he is proven at this distance. There are several dangers though, Enzedex Eagle ($18.00) has placed 4 of 4 since resuming but will need to find some luck here from a wide barrier draw. He is 2 from 2 at this distance and is a definite danger.

Mr Clangtastic ($7.50) is the form horse having won his past 5 starts, the best being the G3 Colin Stephen on a dry track. Hard to doubt winning form and must be included in any each way bet, also given the fact he is unbeaten at this distance. Ready To Lift ($5.00) won G3 Kingston Town Stakes last start and is a proven performer at this distance, winning 3 of 4 and a second, poor barrier draw though. Newport ($35.00) is an outside chance, having won this race last year, but recent form is worrying. Hume ($11.00) is a lightly raced 6yo who could surprise, but good form coming into race.

Race Details

Race Info Date: Sat, Oct 3rd Track: Randwick, NSW Distance: 2400m Race Type: 3yo+ Handicap Prize: $350,000 Status: Group 1

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2009 The Metropolitan Result

The 2009 The Metropolitan was taken out by the D L Freedman trained Speed Gifted (GB) from barrier 6, carrying 53.0kg in weight. Speed Gifted (GB), a 6yo gelding was ridden by C W Brown and won the race 3.3 lengths ahead of the second placed Lodge The Deeds, who carried 53.0 from barrier 3. Then followed Fiumicino (NZ) in third spot 3.5 lengths behind, carrying 57.0. Speed Gifted (GB) won at odds of 6.00.

• 1st: Speed Gifted (GB) (6.00)
• 2nd: Lodge The Deeds (21.00)
• 3rd: Fiumicino (NZ) (11.00)

Previous winners of this race

Year	Winner	Wgt	Odds	Time	Jockey/Trainer	Second/Third
2008	Newport	52.0	41.00	2:33.06	P Wells / P Perry	Bianca / Get Up Jude
2007	Meeting not held.
2006	Tawqueet	54.0	17.00	2:31.10	D Dunn / D Hayes	Activation / Vanquished
2005	Railings	53.5	4.80	2:28.49	D Beadman / J Hawkes	Run Rita Run / Men At Work
2004	County Tyrone	56.5	6.50	2:33,62	C Brown / K Lees	Itemise / Don Raphael
2003	Bedourn	54.0	18.00	2:34.41	G Boss / J O'Shea	Dane Borough / Bodie
2002	Victory Smile	52.0	21.00	2:31.30	D Beasley / D Logan	Piachay / Dress Circle
2001	Dress Circle	51.0	6.00	2:29.38	L Beasley / G Waterhouse	Danyon / Home Wrecker
2000	Coco Cobanna	52.0	3.00	2:44.33	C Munce / G Waterhouse	Pasta Express / Citra's Prince
1999	Vita Man	55.0	9.00	2:48.41	B York / M Campbell	Able Master / Ask The Waiter
1998	In Joyment	52.0	8.00	2:45.71	L Cassidy / G Waterhouse	Doriemus / Joss Sticks
1997	Heart Ruler	52.0	7.00	2:41.55	J Cassidy / J Denham	Linesman / Court Of Honour
1996	Hula Flight	50.0	5.50	2:44.38	C Munce / G Waterhouse	Nothin' Leica Dane / Saintly
1995	Electronic	52.0	9.00	2:42.54	G Boss / G Waterhouse	Phantom Chance / Stoney Bay
	Average:	49.0	11.13

Note: Hover over the winning horse above to see it's lead-up form to that race.

Other Major Races around this time

Date	Race Name	Venue	Distance	Purse
1st August	MISSILE STAKES (G3)	Rosehill	1,100m	$125,000
1st August	BLETCHINGLY STAKES (G3)	Caulfield	1,200m	$100,000
8th August	SAN DOMENICO STAKES (G3)	Randwick	1,000m	$125,000
8th August	SPRING GULLY STAKES (G3)	Morphettville	1,200m	$100,000
15th August	WW COCKRAM STAKES (G3)	Caulfield	1,200m	$100,000