The Metropolitan is one of three Group 1’s on this Saturday’s card at Royal Randwick as the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival continues to heat up.
Trainer David Payne is looking to win his 13th Group 1 when he saddles the favourite Montefilia, while last-start Kingston Town Stakes winner She’s Ideel looks a strong chance for the Bjorn Baker team.
Shared Ambition looked to be the best of Chris Waller’s chances before being scratched in favour of a run in the $1 million Hill Stakes, and there is also a big case to be made for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Entente, who returns on the quick backup for the second week in a row.
With $750,000 on the line, our thoughts on each runner can be found in our 2021 The Metropolitan Preview below!
Spirit Ridge
Spirit Ridge is third-up from a spell and looking to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes last time out.
The Mark Newnham-trained Spirit Ridge weakened after rolling forward but does look capable of improving on that effort getting out to his preferred distance.
The six-year-old is a three-time winner over 2400m and tends to do his best racing at Randwick. With some strong form lines to his name on soft going, he’s a definite each-way chance.
Quick Thinker
Quick Thinker won the Group 1 ATC Derby over this track and trip last year and more recently finishing second in the Newcastle Cup.
He’s got the horror gate to contend with, but his wet track form makes for good reading.
Dashing Willoughby
Dashing Willoughby has struggled in two runs back, finishing well down the straight in both the Wyong Cup and the Newcastle Cup.
Looks hard to entertain.
Angel of Truth
Angel of Truth is another one that claimed the ATC Derby over this track and distance two years ago.
He’s mixed his form at the top level ever since and is also coming off a disappointing finish at Caulfield last time out where the vet found a hemorrhage after the race.
Mirage Dancer
Mirage Dancer has been up for a while, but has done well to hold his form with a couple of game efforts at Caulfield leading in.
He stuck on well to finish 2.5L fourth to Nonconfortmist in the Group 3 Foundation Cup and can figure in the placings here with four wins to his name over the distance.
Warning
Warning strips fitter for his first-up run over 1700m at Flemington three weeks ago.
The 2019 Victoria Derby winner finally got the monkey off his back with a win at Doomben last May but would need to improve lengths to be a factor here from out wide.
Montefilia
Montefilia has returned a place in two runs back and is no doubt one of the top chances on Saturday.
David Payne’s mare let down beautifully out wide in the Kingston Town Stakes to finish a clear second to She’s Ideel.
The way she finished through the line suggested she’s looking for further now, and if High Bowman can replicate that ride from barrier 17, the pair are going to be tough to hold out.
Attorney
Attorney is a two-time winner over 2400m and showed plenty of improvement second-up in the Kingston Town.
The European import came from the rear of the field and found a gap along the inside to finish sixth.
A repeat of that effort would make him tough to beat and James McDonald is the right man to handle the ugly gate.
Le Don De Vie
Le Don De Vie stuck on well for fifth at The Valley last time out and has won previously second-up from a spell.
The British import won the Warrnambool Cup over a similar distance earlier in the year, but this does look a big ask rising to Group 1 level for the first time, especially from a horror gate.
Kukeracha
Kukeracha won the Group 1 Queensland Derby over the same distance in his fourth run back from a spell.
He’s since resumed to finish second at Hawkesbury in the Rowley Mile, but his last two runs in tougher company have left a lot to be desired.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old has gone unplaced in four starts at Randwick and is tough to recommend on recent form.
She’s Ideel
She’s Ideel finally broke through for a well-deserved black-type win last time out, gapping her rivals by over a length in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes.
Jason Collett stalked the speed beautifully that day before pushing the button 200m from home, and he’ll need to produce a similar performance in the saddle after the Bjorn Baker mare drew wide at Tuesday’s barrier draw.
The daughter of Dundeel is a proven wet tracker though and also owns a win over the track and distance previously.
If she can find clear running room, her electric turn of foot will make her very hard to beat.
Harpo Marx
Harpo Marx has been up for a while, but he’s held his form nicely to score back-to-back wins prior to a last-start sixth in the Newcastle Cup.
The son of Galileo hasn’t raced at Group 1 level since journeying to Australia, but does warrant some respect with strong form lines over the distance and on rain-affected tracks.
Entente
Entente returns on the quick backup for a second consecutive week after proving himself over the distance with a dominant win in the Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill last Saturday.
The Dundeel gelding showed a real turn of foot once he found daylight over the final furlong, while his previous third to She’s Ideel and Montefilia in the Kingstown Town a week earlier was equally as impressive.
Barrier 4 should see him get back and run on, while the fact he’s won on soft and heavy going in the past makes him tough to fault.
Great House
Great House is facing a significant rise in class coming off a narrow win in the Newcastle Gold Cup two weeks ago.
The gelding by Galileo has won over this distance previously in Europe and could potentially run a cheeky race with decent wet track form to his name.
Hush Writer
Hush Writer weakened late after rolling forward first-up in the Newcastle Cup to eventually finish seventh.
He has raced well previously over this distance but looks tested rising in class.
No Compromise
Not surprisingly, No Compromise has gone to a whole new level since changing hands from Bill Thurlow to the Chris Waller stable in May.
The son of Pins won a Benchmark 78 over the track and distance during the Winter Carnival and was more recently seen doing his best work late for third in the Newcastle Cup.
Looks to have plenty of scope for improvement and tends to lap up a wet track.
Charms Star
Charms Star is having her second run back after showing improvement for fifth over the mile at Randwick two weeks ago.
This is a big step up in grade, but she did hold her own to finish a clear second to Duais in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm earlier in the year.
The step up to 2400m looks ideal for her at this stage of her prep, and she is well worth a look each way based on the form she’s shown at this level both in Australia, and back home in New Zealand.
Luncies
Luncies turned in an eye-catching performance for fourth last time out in the Newcastle Cup where he made up a stack of ground from the rear at the turn.
He’s won previously over 2400m in Europe and could surprise as the first emergency.
Zeyrek
Zeyrek is yet to find the winner’s stall since venturing to Australia earlier in the autumn.
He put in a strong effort for fourth behind She’s Ideel in the Kingstown Town Stakes and should be better for it.
Long Arm
Long Arm is the third emergency in the 2021 Metropolitan Stakes and is unlikely to earn a spot in the field.
