The resilient mare Foire De Trone showcased her superior endurance at Royal Randwick on Saturday, potentially setting her sights on the prestigious The Metropolitan.
Foire De Trone proved too strong for the favoured runner, Le Troisir, to clinch the Andrew Wisemantel Handicap (2400m).
Trained by Ciaron Maher, the mare was competing in her sixth start this winter, and while the Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) is scheduled for Royal Randwick on October 3, she will be given an opportunity to contest the key spring staying feature.
“We have been spacing her runs but it is a long way to the ‘Metrop’,” Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord stated. “But we will see how she comes through today’s race but her coat is still ‘wintry’ so there is improvement to come.”
Ridden by Ethan Brown, Foire De Trone ($8.50), whose name is derived from France’s oldest and largest travelling fair, narrowly defeated Le Troisir ($2.30 favourite) by a long head. Golden Century ($17) finished a further two lengths adrift in third place.
Gerard-Dubord noted that Foire De Trone was coming off a victory on a very heavy track at Sandown in her previous outing, and she again proved her exceptional stamina to outlast Le Troisir.
“She does hit a flat spot and Ethan was very mindful of that,” Gerard-Dubord explained. “That is why he got her moving a bit sooner rather than later and I think that was the difference between winning and losing.”
Earlier in the Randwick program, punters who backed the favourite were rewarded when Clear Proof secured the Midway Handicap (1200m).
Despite missing the start and enduring a wide run for much of the journey, Clear Proof ($3.60 favourite) still demonstrated enough class to overcome Isawyou ($3.90), winning by a half neck. Call Me Sassy ($11) took third place, just over a length behind the winner.
Trainer John Thompson commented that Clear Proof possessed inherent talent but required gelding to enhance his race-day focus.
“He has to be ridden up on pace, if he gets back in the field he loses concentration,” Thompson said. “The plan was to lead today but that went out the window when he missed the kick so he has done a good job to win.”
Those comparing the best horse racing betting apps would have found good value about the tough staying mare.
Check out the latest racing odds for The Metropolitan.
