The Metropolitan is one of three talent-rich Group 1 races on Saturday’s Randwick card, and it shapes as a terrific contest.
It’s not uncommon to see a race in Sydney featuring several horses out of the Waller yard, and The Metropolitan is absolutely no exception to that rule, with the master trainer a chance of saddling five in the mile-and-a-half test.
The Metropolitan – Winner
No. 2 Mugatoo – Bet Now: $3.00
Mugatoo has returned to the races in exceptional form this time and he is the runner to beat in The Metropolitan.
The six-year-old son of Henrythenavigator hit the ground running in autumn, winning each of his first three starts in Australian, including the Canberra Cup.
He finished second in the NE Manion Cup and sixth in the Tancred Stakes, but it’s fair to say that he has gone to another level this time.
If his first-up win over 1500m in the Winter Challenge wasn’t impressive enough, he has since won the Premier’s Cup and Newcastle Cup with complete ease, and will only be better fourth-up and out to the mile and a half.
I simply cannot find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again, and the $3.60 available at publish looks a terrific bet.
The Metropolitan – 2nd
No. 18 Zebrowski – Bet Now: $10.00
He’s yet to win in three starts back from a spell, but Zebrowski has returned some competitive efforts and seems to be crying out for the mile and a half.
Having concluded his three-year-old season a head second behind Quick Thinker in the ATC Derby, Zebrowski finished midfield in the Winx Stakes when resuming this time, but was a little flat when tenth in the Chelmsford.
He returned a far more pleasing effort for fourth in the Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m here at fortnight ago, and any improvement from that effort would see him into the finish of a race like this one.
The Metropolitan – 3rd
No. 9 Hush Writer – Bet Now: $9.50
Hush Writer has returned two very eye-catching efforts this time and looks ready to peak third-up in The Metropolitan.
The Japanese-bred stayer filled the minors behind Paths Of Glory and The Lord Mayor in the Wyong Cup when resuming, and was the only horse that gave Mugatoo even a slight challenge in the Newcastle Cup last time out.
We know he’ll eat up the trip, he’s drawn a peach in barrier 2 and Timmy Clark takes the ride with only 53kgs in tow.
The Metropolitan – 4th
No. 13 Angel Of Truth – Bet Now: $31.00
He failed to fire in the Kingston Town a couple of weeks ago, but Angel Of Truth’s first two runs this time were good, and his best form would certainly be good enough to win The Metropolitan.
Angel Of Truth won the ATC Derby over this course in 2019, and while he failed to go close to those heights the following spring and in autumn this year, the move to Team Hawkes’ stable appears to have been beneficial.
He’ll carry only 51.5kgs and if I’m right about him, the $26 available at publish looks to be big overs.
The Metropolitan Suggested Bets
- 5 Units straight out #2 Mugatoo
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above