A display of superior staying prowess saw the mare Foire De Trone emerge victorious at Royal Randwick on Saturday, potentially earning her a spot in the upcoming The Metropolitan.

Foire De Trone finished with more vigour than the favoured Le Troisir to claim the Andrew Wisemantel Handicap, a 2400-metre contest.

The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper was competing in its sixth run of the winter campaign, and while the $750,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan is slated for Royal Randwick on October 3, the mare has been given a chance to progress towards the major spring staying event.

“We have been spacing her runs but it is a long way to the ‘Metrop’,” Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said. “But we will see how she comes through today’s race but her coat is still ‘wintry’ so there is improvement to come.”

Foire De Trone ($8.50), whose moniker originates from a historic French travelling fair, was guided by jockey Ethan Brown to a narrow victory by a long head over Le Troisir ($2.30 favourite). Golden Century ($17) secured third place, a further two lengths behind.

Gerard-Dubord mentioned that Foire De Trone was coming off a win on a very heavy track at Sandown at her last start and she once again showcased her exceptional stamina to get the better of Le Troisir.

“She does hit a flat spot and Ethan was very mindful of that,” Gerard-Dubord stated. “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 race card, punters who supported the favourite were successful when Clear Proof won the Midway Handicap (1200m).

Clear Proof ($3.60 favourite), despite a slow start and covering extra ground without cover for a significant part of the race, proved too strong for Isawyou ($3.90), winning by a half neck margin. Call Me Sassy ($11) finished third, just over a length off the winner.

Trainer John Thompson noted that Clear Proof possessed ability but needed gelding to improve his race-day resolve.

“He has to be ridden up on pace, if he gets back in the field he loses concentration,” Thompson explained. “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.”

The mare’s performance was a highlight for those following the Australian betting sites.

Get the latest racing betting markets for The Metropolitan.