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2014 Metropolitan: Preview, live blog, tips, result

Roar Guru
4th October, 2014
Field
1 JUNOOB
2 BAGMAN
3 SPILLWAY
4 OPINION
5 TRAVOLTA
6 BRIGANTIN
7 LA AMISTAD
8 OUR VOODOO PRINCE
9 ARALDO
10 KINGDOMS
11 WISH COME TRUE
12 DEANE MARTIN
13 DISCLAIMER
14 TUPAC AMARU
15 IGGI POP
16 KHALID
Punters are back for big days of racing at the New Zealand derby. (AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST)
Roar Guru
4th October, 2014
21

The Metropolitan (2400m, Group 1, handicap) at 5:20pm (AEST) is the final Group 1 feature at Randwick on Super Saturday. Join us for our live coverage of Sydney’s premier spring race for the stayers.

By the end of the day the track should start favouring horses down the outside.

Most winners came away from the fence towards the middle of the day last year, so there should be no real disadvantage to be drawn wide, particularly over the 2400m.

Last year’s winner was Seville, coming off an unlucky run in the Naturalism Stakes. The Newcastle Cup and Colin Stephen Quality have also produced recent winners of the race, suggesting horses are capable of backing up a week later.

This year’s addition has been criticised for lack of depth, not helped by the compression of weights. Re-handicapping would have provided a few of the lightweights with more relief, who only gain a 2.5kg advantage on their better credentialled rivals.

Expect Travolta to lead in his customary role, with Junoob and Wish Come True to tuck in behind him. Disclaimer, Deane Martin and Brigantin could also position handy from outside draws. Speed is difficult to predict in these staying races, but if Travolta is untroubled up front, he is sure to give a bold sight.

Spillway, Our Voodoo Prince and Araldo all come out of the Naturalism Stakes. The race was dominated by on-pacers and Spillway was never really extended. Our Voodoo Prince peaked on his run, but the slow pace did him no favours. Araldo loomed up at the top of the straight, but once again was far too green. His best run in Germany were all on clockwise tracks, so Randwick should suit.

Junoob and Bagman were both excellent in the Hill Stakes, which was a sit and sprint affair. Neither have won over 2400m in Australia, but recent weight-for-age form is strong. La Amistad was in the same race, backing up off a disappointing run in the Kingston Town. Her form past 2000m is hard to ignore and she has drawn beautifully in barrier six.

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Kingdoms clocked quick sectionals when a fast-finishing second in the Kingston Town. He is ready for the 2400m and the three weeks between runs suits. Opinion never saw daylight and is right in this, based on his Sydney Cup performance.

Disclaimer received all the favours in his Newcastle Cup win. He has drawn a tricky barrier, but is still open for improvement. Wish Come True did a lot of work in the early stages at Newcastle and was brave in the home straight. Brigantin also finished nicely and meets the winner four kilograms better.

Last week’s Colin Stephen Quality was taken out by Deane Martin from Iggi Pop in a bunched finish. Travolta only grinded to the line, but he finally gets some weight relief.

With a Caulfield Cup penalty on offer, there is plenty to gain for many of these progressive types.

Selections
1. Our Voodoo Prince
2. Spillway
3. Opinion
4. Wish Come True

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