The Metropolitan
The Metropolitan
Group One Betting Guide
| Date: | Saturday, September 28, 2024 |
| Location: | Royal Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, New South Wales |
| Prize Money: | $750,000 |
| Distance: | 2400m |
The Metropolitan is run in October and is one of the key meets of the spring in the harbour city.
The premier staying race during the Sydney spring carnival, has a history of past runners who have gone on to perform highly in the bigger Melbourne spring carnival races later in the year. Two winners won the Caulfield Cup at their following start which should give punters a good insight.
Dominated by European imports in recent years, punters take serious notice of The Metropolitan which makes the Randwick feature a must-watch. It is a proven Cups form guide and the openness of the race makes betting on it worthwhile.
2024 The Metropolitan betting odds
Odds for the 2024 Metropolitan are currently unavailable.
Best bookmakers for The Metropolitan
Given the popularity of The Metropoltan, bookmakers open markets around July/August with the spring carnival firmly in mind.
Spring carnival races are the most popular with Australian and offshore bettors, so the bookies know the importance of not only getting the market up, but also offering the best odds.
Our recommended bookmakers offer the best odds in Australia and the promotions available are great value. Bonus bets and money back specials will be offered on all Metropolitan fixed odds bets.
Sport Table
Latest News for The Metropolitan
The Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes will offer the final golden ticket into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, with the ...
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Rachel King have combined with Just Fine to take out the Group 1 Metropolitan ...
The Group 1 Espom Handicap (1600m) headlines the ten-race program at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Check out HorseBetting's free race-by-race ...
Just Fine ($3.20) has justified favourtism in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes, going on to score a dominant victory ...
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Military Mission ($16.00) bounded over the top late in the day to score in ...
There will be no winter blues for veteran trainer Jim Wallace this year, who will shortly return from a well-deserved ...
The Metropolitan betting guide
The best guide is to back the imported runners. They have an incredible record in the race and that’s largely due to the timing of the race.
Imported stayers have become more frequent in Sydney over time and they have dominated The Metropolitan in past runnings.
Imported European stayer Sir John Hawkwood tasted success in 2016 and after four previous trainers in both Europe and Australia, the eight-year-old was able to run best over the staying distance of 2400m.
Only three favourites have won in the last 13 years (Just Fine, Magic Hurricane, Glencadam Gold) and there has been six double-figure winners in that stretch too. Five of the last 13 favourites have failed to place which isn’t encouraging for favourites punters.
There have been some champion runners suffer defeat in the 2400m feature. Melbourne Cup-winning Doriemus finished second as the $2 favourite and fellow Melbourne Cup winner Saintly finished third as the $2.10 favourite. That shows that The Metropolitan is a great form guide to races later in the Melbourne spring carnival.
2024 The Metropolitan Final Field
HorseBetting will update this page when the 2024 Metropolitan final field is released.
Previous The Metropolitan Fields
Plenty of staying stars of the racing scene have won The Metropolitan. Check the previous fields of The Metrop here.
No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 
Knights OrderGai Waterhouse & Adrian BottAdam Hyeronimus657.5kg2 Navajo Peak David Payne Chad Schofield 15 55.5kg 3 Cleveland Kris Lees Damien Olver 13 54.5kg 4 Major Beel Gai Waterhouse & Damien Oliver Tim Clark 5 54.5kg 5 Bois D’argent Annabel Neasham Dylan Gibbons 10 53.5kg 6 HosierMark MinerviniJason Collett1753kg7 Manzoice Chris Waller Michael Dee 7 53kg 8 Spirit Ridge Annabel Neasham Regan Bayliss 14 52.5kg 9 Ho Ho Khan Mitchell Freedman Tahlia Hope 12 52.5kg 10 Kalapour Kris Lees Kerrin McEvoy 3 52.5kg 11 Torrens Marc Chevalier Jenny Duggan 11 52kg 12 Benaud John O’Shea Jamie Kah 1 51.5kg 13 Military Mission Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Zac Lloyd 18 51.5kg 14 Just Fine Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Rachel King 2 50kg 15 Al Aabir Chris Waller Jay Ford 8 50kg 16 Future HistoryCiaron Maher & David EustaceDean Yendall1650kg17 Mr Waterville Chris Waller Tyler Schiller 9 50kg 18 Wineglass Bay Chris Waller Kathy O’Hara 4 50kg No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Stockman Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 4 56.5kg 2 Le Don De Vie Ciaron Maher & David Eustace James McDonald 3 56kg 3 Kukeracha Chris Waller Brenton Avdulla 1 55kg 4 Arapaho Bjorn Baker Rachel King 11 54.5kg 5 Mankayan Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jason Collett 12 54.5kg 6 No Compromise Chris Waller Tommy Berry 5 53.5kg 7 Durston Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 8 53kg 8 Sacramento Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 9 53kg 9 SurefireChris WallerWilliam Pike1352kg10 Realm Of Flowers Anthony & Sam Freedman Reece Jones 10 51kg 11 Grove Ferry Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Winona Costin 14 51kg 12 Carif Peter & Paul Snowden Andrew Adkins 6 51kg 13 Francesco GuardoChris WallerAlysha Collett1551kg14 Chalk StreamChris WallerKathy O’Hara251kg15 Hameron Chris Waller Jay Ford 7 51kg No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Spirit Ridge Mark Newnham Joshua Parr 8 58kg 2 Shared AmbitionChris WallerNash Rawiller157.5kg3 Quick Thinker Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman Kerrin McEvoy 18 57kg 4 Dashing Willoughby Chris Waller Nash Rawiller 6 57kg 5 Angel Of Truth Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Tommy Berry 19 56kg 6 Mirage DancerTrent Busuttin & Natalie YoungSam Clipperton1356kg7 Warning Anthony & Sam Freedman Regan Bayliss 12 56kg 8 Montefilia David Payne Hugh Bowman 17 55.5kg 9 Attorney Matthew Smith James McDonald 20 55.5kg 10 Le Don De Vie Anthony & Sam Freedman Glen Boss 21 55.5kg 11 KukerachaChris WallerGlyn Schofield1655.5kg12 She’s Ideel Bjorn Baker Jason Collett 15 55kg 13 Harpo Marx Bjorn Baker Rachel King 5 54kg 14 Entente Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 4 52.5kg 15 Great House Chris Waller Jeff Penza 11 52kg 16 Hush Writer Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott James Innes Jnr 7 51kg 17 No Compromise Chris Waller Kathy O’Hara 10 50kg 18 Charms Star Chris Waller Alysha Collett 9 50kg 19 Luncies (1E) Kris Lees Robbie Dolan 2 50kg 20 Zeyrek Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Andrew Adkins 3 50kg 21 Long ArmPeter GelagotisJean Van Overmeire1450kgNo. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Mustajeer Kris Lees Hugh Bowman 5 58kg 2 Mugatoo Kris Lees Kerrin McEvoy 7 57kg 3 Mirage Dancer Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Nash Rawiller 3 55.5kg 4 Wu Gok Chris Waller Sam Clipperton 13 55kg 5 Raheen HouseKris LeesJason Collett1254.5kg6 Etah James Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Regan Bayliss 6 53.5kg 7 Shared AmbitionChris WallerJames McDonald1953.5kg8 Brimham Rocks Chris Waller Brenton Avdulla 16 53.5kg 9 Hush Writer Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 2 53kg 10 Lord BelvedereCiaron Maher & David EustaceKathy O’Hara1052.5kg11 Carif Peter & Paul Snowden Robbie Dolan 9 52.5kg 12 Rondinella John O’Shea Rachel King 15 51.5kg 13 Angel Of Truth Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Tommy Berry 11 51.5kg 14 Azuro Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Louise Day 21 51.5kg 15 Paths Of Glory Anthony & Sam Freedman Kathy O’Hara 17 50.5kg 16 Girl Tuesday Clarry Conners Glen Boss 22 50kg 17 Miss Sentimental Chris Waller Jess Taylor 18 50kg 18 Zebrowski Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes James Innes Jnr 4 50kg 19 Norway Chris Waller Alysha Collett 20 50.5kg 20 Attention Run Kris Lees Andrew Gibbons 1 50kg 21 Sir Charles Road Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Brock Ryan 8 51kg 22 Grey LionMatthew SmithN/A1450kg
2023 The Metropolitan result
1st – Just Fine (-133.33)
2nd – Spirit Ridge (+720)
3rd – Kalapour (+360)
Recent Metropolitan winners
- Just Fine ($1.75) was backed as if unbeatable in the Group 1 Metropolitan, but there would have been a few stressful moments in the home straight for favourite backers as he just got the better of roughie Spirit Ridge ($41.00) in the final strides. After very impressive wins at both of his first two starts in Australia, the ex-European opened as a very short favourite with most online bookmakers on Wednesday and held favouritism with very little movement all day on Saturday. The son of Sea The Stars settled behind the speed in the box seat, as Spirit Ridge took the running, but when the leader kicked clear on the home turn there would have been some worrying moments for the connections of the favourite, who took a while to level up with the roughie. However, under the urgings Rachel King, Just Fine proved too tough and too classy for his rivals, defeating Spirit Ridge by a long neck and Kalapour ($21.00) who was over three lengths back in third place.
- The Chris Waller-trained No Compromise had been well backed throughout the day in the lead-up to The Metrop and managed to rewards punters….just. With race favourite Le Don De Vie shifting out at the top of the straight, Tommy Berry opted to dart back to the rail aboard the eventual winner and despite going stirde for stride for the favourite, No Compromise got his nose down in time to claim victory over Le Don De Vie and Realm Of Flowers in one of the tightest finishes in recent times.
- Having drawn the wide barrier Montefilia had to settle out wide in the second half of the field and be patient.Favourite Entente started his move early up the field which resulted in Bowman having to loosen the reigns to follow. There were plenty of challenges on the straight with the likes of Hush Writer and Spirit Ridge looking a chance before Montefilia pushed through to put her head in front at the 150m. Entente came with her and the duo hit the line together forcing a thrilling photo finish that went the way of Montefilia the outside by the bob of the head resulting in Hugh Bowman claiming his 100th Group One Victory.
- It took a patient ride from Nash Rawiller, but it was the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Mirage Dancer who foiled the party of favourite Mugatoo in The Metropolitan. The ex-Kiwi was shifted back to midfield upon entering the home straight having been three back the fence, but Rawiller was patient throughout the early stages of the home straight, but once the gap appeared at the 200m mark he exploded through the gap and displayed a turn of foot which saw him nab Mugatoo on the line in dramatic fashion.
- The premier staying race in Sydney saw Brimham Rocks nicely backed to jump favourite for the Chris Waller team, but it was yet again ‘The Other Waller’ horse who got up in an exciting edition of the Metropolitan. Come Play With Me was yet to set the world on fire after his move over from Western Australia, but was the one who went home the best went charging through a small gap to hold out Gallic Chieftain, to hand Chris Waller his third Group 1 for the day.
- Patrick Erin had failed to set the world on fire since crossing the Tasman earlier in the year, but a quality lead in run to the Metro may have gotten under the punters’ guard. Under a brilliant ride from Corey Brown, the $16 outsider was presented in the final 200m race to challenge the favourite Brimham Rocks, matched strides with the swooping Kiwi but just went down in a photo finish.
- Foundry lobbed into Cups calculations with a tough win in the 2017 Metropolitan Handicap. The eight-year-old import for Robert Hickmott sustained a run around runners to beat the fast-finishing Big Duke and New Zealand entrant Chocante. The 11-horse field was covered by less than six lengths which doesn’t say much for the quality of the field, but it was enough to earn Foundry plenty of respect. Read report here.
- Astern established itself as the class three-year-old of its year scoring by 2.25 lengths. The John O’Shea-trained colt by Medaglia D’Oro burst past runners with a big turn-of-foot and it gave James McDonald won of his biggest wins before succumbing to suspension. Included in the beaten brigade was subsequent group one winner Impending and quality filly Yankee Rose.
- Magic Hurricane was a John O’Shea-trained European import which started its Australian campaign with a bang. It easily dispatched a solid Metropolitan field by two lengths which included Beaten Up, Opinion and Junoob. It hasn’t quite been the same horse since, but it was only one of two favourites to win in the last 10 years.
- Opinion was always considered a top European prospect on rain-affected ground, but it managed to win on a good track in 2014. Another import for Chris Waller, the son of Oasis Dream wasn’t fancied at $12 in the betting, but it finished off too well for its rivals didn’t include much apart from second place-getter and Melbourne Cup entrant Araldo.
- Another imported runner scored in 2013 with Seville. The Robert Hickmott-trained horse was $10 in the betting and it took advantage of a relatively weak field. Metropolitans are usually strong races, but this simply wasn’t a strong year.
- Glencadam Gold was an Irish import for Gai Waterhouse which loved to roll along in front. It cruised to victory by 3.8 lengths over Kelinni and stablemate Reuben Percival. It was heavily backed at $1.85 and it would later be well backed to win the Caulfield Cup, but again the field wasn’t strong and carrying only 53kg made it even easier.
- The Verminator was one of seven consecutive imported winners and it didn’t have everything go its way. The Chris Waller-trained gelding was drawn barrier 16 and was forced to race three wide. Jockey Craig Newitt pushed forward and it kicked very nicely to win by 2.8 lengths over Hawk Island. It carried only 52kg in the 17-horse field showing that the lightweights are good to bet on.
Previous The Metropolitan winners
| The Metropolitan Past Winners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2023 | Just Fine | Rachel King | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
| 2022 | No Compromise | Tommy Berry | Chris Waller |
| 2021 | Montefilia | Hugh Bowman | David Payne |
| 2020 | Mirage Dancer | Nash Rawiller | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
| 2019 | Come Play With Me | Brenton Avdulla | Chris Waller |
| 2018 | Patrick Erin | Corey Brown | Chris Waller |
| 2017 | Foundry | Michael Dee | Robert Hickmott |
| 2016 | Sir John Hawkwood | Blake Spriggs | John Thompson |
| 2015 | Magic Hurricane | James McDonald | John O’Shea |
| 2014 | Opinion | Tye Angland | Chris Waller |
| 2013 | Seville | Hugh Bowman | Robert Hickmott |
| 2012 | Glencadam Gold | Tommy Berry | Gai Waterhouse |
| 2011 | The Verminator | Craig Newitt | Chris Waller |
| 2010 | Herculian Prince | Nash Rawiller | Gai Waterhouse |
| 2009 | Speed Gifted | Corey Brown | Lee Freedman |
| 2008 | Newport | Peter Wells | Paul Perry |
| 2007 | Race Not Held | ||
| 2006 | Tawqeet | Dwayne Dunn | David Hayes |
| 2005 | Railings | Darren Beadman | John Hawkes |
| 2004 | County Tyrone | Corey Brown | Kris Lees |
| 2003 | Bedouin | Glen Boss | John O’Shea |
| 2002 | Victory Smile | Danny Beasley | Donna Logan |
| 2001 | Dress Circle | Lenny Beasley | Gai Waterhouse |
| 2000 | Coco Cabanna | Chris Munce | Gai Waterhouse |
The Metropolitan Past Winners Pre 2000
| The Metropolitan Past Winners Pre 2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | ||
| 1999 | Vita Man | ||
| 1998 | In Joyment | ||
| 1997 | Heart Ruler | ||
| 1996 | Hula Flight | ||
| 1995 | Electronic | ||
| 1994 | Glastonbury | ||
| 1993 | Zamination | ||
| 1992 | Te Akau Nick | ||
| 1991 | Lord Revenir | ||
| 1990 | Donegal Mist | ||
| 1989 | Hunter | ||
| 1988 | Natski | ||
| 1987 | Balciano | ||
| 1986 | Born To Be Queen | ||
| 1985 | Spritely Native | ||
| 1984 | Hayai | ||
| 1983 | Hayai | ||
| 1982 | Nicholas John | ||
| 1981 | Belmura Lad | ||
| 1980 | Brindisi | ||
| 1979 | Earthquake McGoon | ||
| 1978 | Ming Dynasty | ||
| 1977 | Sir Serene | ||
| 1976 | Battle Heights | ||
| 1975 | Bon Teint | ||
| 1974 | Passetreul | ||
| 1973 | Analie | ||
| 1972 | Altai Khan | ||
| 1971 | Oncidon | ||
| 1970 | Tails | ||
| 1969 | Tails | ||
| 1968 | Wiedersehen | ||
| 1967 | Gene | ||
| 1966 | Duo | ||
| 1965 | Striking Force | ||
| 1964 | Piper’s Son | ||
| 1963 | Galerus | ||
| 1962 | The Dip | ||
| 1961 | Waipari | ||
| 1960 | Red Wind | ||
| 1959 | Macdougal | ||
| 1958 | Monte Carlo | ||
| 1957 | Straight Draw | ||
| 1956 | Redcraze | ||
| 1955 | Beaupa | ||
| 1954 | Commodore | ||
| 1953 | Carioca | ||
| 1952 | Dalray | ||
| 1951 | Delta | ||
| 1950 | Conductor | ||
| 1949 | Count Cyrano | ||
| 1948 | Buonarroti Boy | ||
| 1947 | Murray Stream | ||
| 1946 | Cordale | ||
| 1945 | Murray Stream | ||
| 1944 | Nightbeam | ||
| 1943 | Main Topic | ||
| 1942 | Grand Fils | ||
| 1941 | Dashing Cavalier | ||
| 1940 | Beau Vite | ||
| 1939 | Feminist | ||
| 1938 | Royal Chief | ||
| 1937 | Sir Regent | ||
| 1936 | Young Crusader | ||
| 1935 | Oro | ||
| 1934 | Waikare | ||
| 1933 | Regal Son | ||
| 1932 | Denis Boy | ||
| 1931 | Strength | ||
| 1930 | Cragford | ||
| 1929 | Loquacious | ||
| 1928 | Jocelyn | ||
| 1927 | Murillo | ||
| 1926 | Star Stranger | ||
| 1925 | Bard Of Avon | ||
| 1924 | Polycletan | ||
| 1923 | Sir Andrew | ||
| 1922 | Speciality | ||
| 1921 | Laddie Blue | ||
| 1920 | Pershore | ||
| 1919 | Rebus | ||
| 1918 | Kennaquhair | ||
| 1917 | Cagou | ||
| 1916 | Quinologist | ||
| 1915 | St. Carwyne | ||
| 1914 | St. Spasa | ||
| 1913 | Cagou | ||
| 1912 | Duke Foote | ||
| 1911 | Malt King | ||
| 1910 | Eric | ||
| 1909 | Maltine | ||
| 1908 | Mooltan | ||
| 1907 | Mooltan | ||
| 1906 | Solution | ||
| 1905 | Maniapoto | ||
| 1904 | Alias | ||
| 1903 | Marvel Loch | ||
| 1902 | Queen Of Sheba | ||
| 1901 | San Fran | ||
| 1900 | Reviver | ||
| 1899 | Cremona | ||
| 1898 | Cravat | ||
| 1897 | Survivor | ||
| 1896 | The Skipper | ||
| 1895 | Nobleman | ||
| 1894 | Projectile | ||
| 1893 | Paris | ||
| 1892 | Althotas | ||
| 1891 | Yowi | ||
| 1890 | Little Bernie | ||
| 1889 | Abercorn | ||
| 1888 | Lamond | ||
| 1887 | Cardigan | ||
| 1886 | The Bohemian | ||
| 1885 | Acolyte | ||
| 1884 | Sir Modred | ||
| 1883 | The Gem | ||
| 1882 | Masquerade | ||
| 1881 | Hesperian | ||
| 1880 | The Pontiff | ||
| 1879 | Secundus | ||
| 1878 | Democrat | ||
| 1877 | Amendment | ||
| 1876 | Nemesis | ||
| 1875 | Goldsbrough | ||
| 1874 | Sterling | ||
| 1873 | Horatio | ||
| 1872 | Dagworth | ||
| 1871 | Rosebud | ||
| 1870 | Croydon | ||
| 1869 | Circassian | ||
| 1868 | The Barb | ||
| 1967 | Tim Whiffler | ||
| 1866 | Bylong | ||
| 1865 | Volunteer | ||
| 1864 | Tarragon | ||
| 1863 | Regno | ||
There are no specific dates for these meetings, just the year. The Metrop is a very important leadup race for Sydney horses into the VRC Spring Carnival, but with no dates how can one accurately assess different training for different horses, trainers, etc?