Randwick Race 8 – 16:45 AEST
OPEN Group 1
2400m
$750,000.00
Soft 5 – Good 4
Rail out 3m entire circuit
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight (kg) | Barrier | Current Price |
| 1. Auvray | R A Freedman | Tye Angland | 57.0 | 2 | $18.00 |
| 2. Big Duke | Darren Weir | Brenton Avdulla | 56.5 | 8 | $11.00 |
| 3. Libran | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 56.0 | 16 | $11.00 |
| 4. Wall of Fire | C Maher & D Eustace | James Mcdonald | 54.5 | 10 | $12.00 |
| 5. Sedanzer | G Waterhouse & A Bott | Tim Clark | 53.0 | 5 | $21.00 |
| 6. Patrick Erin | Chris Waller | Corey Brown | 51.0 | 4 | $12.00 |
| 7. Midterm | Liam Howley | Michael Dee | 50.5 | 17 | $15.00 |
| 8. Alward | Chris Waller | Kathy O’hara | 50.0 | 1 | $41.00 |
| 9. Miss Admiration | Mick Price | Dean Holland | 50.0 | 9 | $6.50 |
| 10. Brimham Rocks | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 50.0 | 15 | $5.00 |
| 11. Sin to Win | D & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dean Yendall | 50.0 | 12 | $27.00 |
| 12. The Lord Mayor | Chris Waller | Jay Ford | 50.0 | 7 | $13.00 |
| 13. Nettoyer | Wendy Roche | Ms Rachel King | 50.0 | 14 | $81 |
| 14. Just Shine | Clare Cunningham | Alysha Collett | 50.0 | 13 | $27.00 |
| 15. Sikandarabad | D & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Jye Mcneil | 50.0 | 6 | $19.00 |
| 16. High Bridge | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 50.0 | 3 | $8.50 |
| 17. Opposition | Chris Waller | Andrew Adkins | 50.0 | 19 | $35.00 |
| 18. Jake’s Hill | Chris Waller | Y Ichikawa | 50.0 | 11 | $81 |
| E19. Romanesque | Jarrod Mclean | Fred W Kersley | 50.0 | 18 | $41.00 |
Race Overview
The Metropolitan is Sydney’s premier staying race of the Spring – in fact, it is the only Group 1 staying event in Sydney throughout Spring. The race is sometimes used as a lead in to the Caulfield Cup. Notably, only two favourites have won in the past 10 years.
Race Speed
Aside from Sin to Win there appears to be a lack of speed in this staying event which could result to bunching which will make it extremely tough for many to find a position in the run. Midterm may elect to push forward from the wide barrier. The majority of horses generally map towards the middle-back. This could well turn into a sit & sprint event!
Key Runners
- LIBRAN ($11.00)
Showed an encouraging return in his first two starts this prep over much shorter distances than he prefers. Hit the line beautifully in those starts and last start closed off well when held up on heels for a period. Extra distance suits.
- WALL OF FIRE ($12.00)
First up here, but has had a few trials leading into this which suggests he could be more forward than expected. Last prep finished 1 length off in the G2 Herbert Power over the same distance. Mcdonald on board a big plus – betting moves could tell the story.
- BRIMHAM ROCKS ($5.00)
Has finished behind Auvilius twice this prep, which is top form for this race. 2nd up this prep just missed behind The Lord Mayor when running home strongly. Last 2 starts has looked like wanting further and will get it here. A deserved favourite and with the right run will be tough to beat.
- THE LORD MAYOR ($13.00)
Coming off two consecutive wins, including a last start win over the favourite here. Had the gun run last start but looks like he could get the same again today which could be a key factor in this race! Has a great winning record and it’s hard to knock winning form!
Bluey's Best
- LIBRAN ($11.00)
This is an extremely tough race – arguably the hardest of the day to pick a winner from, but Libran has been crying out for this distance here after hitting the line well in all starts this prep. How this race pans out will depend on tactics, but with the right run Libran should be fighting out the finish here.
