The second of the majors at Randwick this Saturday is The Metropolitan (2400m) with a capacity field assembled and a host of winning chances.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 The Metropolitan.
2024 The Metropolitan Speed Map
GaiBott stable have a couple in the race with Military Mission and Serpentine. Chuck in Future History, and I think the tempo will be more than genuine. In terms of ideal map, First Light will get a suck run from the gate, as will Alegron.
2024 The Metropolitan Runner Preview:
1. Kalapour: Race shape was against him in the Kingston Town but just not 100% sold on how well he’s going this prep. Horror draw, topweight…he can go through to the keeper.
2. Military Mission: Thought he trialled up super prior to the first up run but in two runs back from a spell…the jury is out I say and I say he’s not going well enough to threaten.
3. Serpentine: Looks the leader and from there, will give a sight, as seen in the Kingston Town and gave a good sight but had no answers late for Eliyass. If this track is playing up/in, I think he can run an improved race at odds.
4. Que Tempesta: Was really keen on him in the Naturalism but he let me down with a fair run. Tinkering with gear and up to 2400m, weight relief, he can take this out without surprising.
5. Alegron: Race shape was against him in the Kingston Town and he just didn’t have the change up speed. More testing 2400m, he’ll do no work, good upside…another that I can consider a knockout hope.
6. Cleveland: Not going well enough from what I have seen to threaten these. Deserved outsider.
7. Athabascan: Definite overs I say. Did more than enough in the Chelmsford before going to the Kingston Town where, again, he wasn’t suited by the race shape, so a total forgive. 2400m is ideal, more genuine tempo, he’ll be strong late. $23+ is crazy.
8. Trust In You: Handy stayer but not up to this level.
9. El Bodegon: How long til he’s with Eric Musgrove and jumping?
10. Zardozi: Zardozi has these on toast if she brings her best. The question is, is she anywhere near her best? I thought good luck beating her after her great return in the Winx Stakes but she was plain in the Chelmsford and then got keen in the run in the Kingston Town, which took away from her finale. 52kg, hard fit, gee she gets in very well.
11. Future History: He’s flying, he’ll stay all day, he’ll be near the speed…just the jockey booking of Zac Wadick…he’s a good rider on the way up, but he’s a Provincial jockey at this stage. Big ask giving him the keys to a leading Group l chance, unless the stable thinks he’s a moral. For mine, he’s unders.
12. Star Of India: Nice horse, but the jury is well and truly out on him at 2400m. Prefer him at 1800m-2000m.
13. Etna Rosso: Race shape/tight track was against him at Wyong two back but made amends with a dominant Newcastle Cup triumph. He has change up speed, he’ll stay and has the Waller sense of timing, like a few here. Can’t be dismissed.
14. Land Legend: Land Legend is the horse I have eyes on for this race for a few months. He had trialled up like an absolute jet and while his two runs have been fair on face value, there has been merit/reasons. First up was just another barrier trial before going to the Kingston Town where he was quite keen off the moderate speed but that said, he stayed on and was good in defeat. Hard fit, 2400m, weight relief, he is hard to beat.
15. First Light: Got his way into the field via the Colin Stephen last Saturday but gee that race looked very thin and he had the right run/ride. Does no work from the gate, strong late…but he doesn’t have the class, surely.
16. Manzoice: Ridden with intent in the Wyong Cup and was there to win but didn’t have the late change up speed. Tick over trial was good, he’ll likely be back near last…not for me and I think may run at Flemington.
17. Berkshire Breeze: Berkshire Breeze is a good stayer on the up for Ciaron Maher. Can make a case to say he wins the Archer three weeks ago if ridden positively but unfortunately he got back in the run and had too much to do. I think with a more positive steer, he’ll run well, but I dare say runs in the Bart Cummings.
18. Wyclif: I thought he was there to win the Newcastle Cup last time but several weeks between runs, condition just gave way late. The gate makes things very tricky and not sure he has the class/quality.
19. Immediacy (First Emergency): Pretty ordinary steer I thought in the Naturalism and only got going very late in the piece. He’ll love the rise to 2400m, he’ll be strong late, good upside…can win without surprising.
20. Strathtay (Second Emergency): Plain in the Colin Stephen and can’t entertain him here.
21. Unusual Legacy (Third Emergency): Unusual Legacy is the one with a sense of timing and is right down in the weights for Chris Waller. He is a bit on the one paced side but he will be launching late and finding the line. He tried his guts out but just found one better last Saturday in stablemate Firestorm. Love him up in trip, he’ll be strong late…he can win.
22. Matusalem (Fourth Emergency): In form stayer but I dare say runs at Flemington.
2024 The Metropolitan $100 Betting Strategy:
Really open race this. 2 x $40 Win bets on Land Legend and Unusual Legacy with $20 Win on Zardozi. I think the winner comes from that trio.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $700
Group l Strategy Return: $215
2024 The Metropolitan Odds:
