Metropolitan Handicap: Randwick 2400m

Race Overview

date Sat 28 Sep 2024
track Randwick
distance 2400m
conditions Handicap
status Group 1
prizemoney $750,000

The Metropolitan is one of the oldest events on the Australian racing calendar, dating back to 1863, just two years shy of the Melbourne Cup. It has been run at either 2400m, 2600m or 3200m in its storied history, but has settled into 2400m since 2001.

While the Metrop does have a long and storied history, it’s actually rare that a winner of the race goes onto greater things. More often than not it is the only Group 1 win for the victor, but in the early 2000’s the race went on a run where Railings and Tawqueet won it on the way to also taking out the Caulfield Cup, and the grand old marvel County Tyrone won the race in 2004.

TRY A NEW PLACE TO BET

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Code: TRR99

star
star
JOIN NOW

Share The Experience

star
star
JOIN NOW

WINNERS WELCOME

star
star
JOIN NOW

Code: TRR49

star
star
JOIN NOW

THAT'S BETR

star
star
JOIN NOW

GET IN ON THE BOOM!

star
star
JOIN NOW

SIMPLY BETTER BETTING

star
star
JOIN NOW

2023 METROPOLITAN HANDICAP PREVIEW

Just Fine has an iron grip on favouritism, currently in red figures a couple of days out from the race. The import has had two runs in Australia for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, after 14 career starts in the UK. He romped home in a benchmark 94 over 1600m at the start of September, and then confirmed his ability and stoutness with an incredibly tough win in the Kingston Town last start. Sitting outside the leader for the first half of the race, he was then attacked by a third horse at the 800m, before casting them both aside and hitting the front at the 400m, defying the chasers to run him down. None could.

Five other horses from the Kingston Town are taking on Just Fine again, and it’s very difficult to make a case for any to turn the tables. Benaud finished second to him, which puts him in the frame to run a place again, especially given we know he is in solid form thanks to his Wyong Cup win previous.

The Newcastle Cup provides eight runners in this contest, and a number of them had run behind Benaud in the Wyong Cup also. Spirit Ridge has been around forever but has had an uber-solid 2023 with a win and seven placings, and is perhaps the best of those coming through those two races.

The form of the aforementioned races is all interconnected, and we have to think Just Fine has all of those runners covered, so that leaves the door open for another formline to provide the stiffest challenge.

Future History looks the likely danger. Similar to Just Fine, he is also an import having his first preparation in Australia, and has shown his worth at three starts over 2000m with a win and two placings. Never tried at 2400m in Europe, he is ready for the step up now.

Selections: 1.Just Fine 2.Future History 3.Benaud 4.Spirit Ridge

Expert Tips

Author
Cameron rose's Tip

JUST FINE

WIN

James Squire Metropolitan 30 September 16:45
14. Just Fine
Win 1.65
Place 1.16

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

Author
Cameron rose's Tip

FUTURE HISTORY

PLACE

James Squire Metropolitan 30 September 16:45
16. Future History
Win 26.00
Place 5.50

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

Past Winners Of The Metropolitan Handicap

YEAR HORSE JOCKEY TRAINERS
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

2023 METROPOLITAN HANDICAP REPLAY