METROPOLITAN 2020 PREVIEW
3YO+ OPEN
2400m
$750,000
GOOD 4
Rail OUT 3m entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 25x00 | MUSTAJEER | K LEES | H BOWMAN (5) | 58.0 | $34 |
| 2 | 6x111 | MUGATOO | K LEES | K MCEVOY (7) | 57.0 | $2.65 |
| 3 | 43x74 | MIRAGE DANCER | T B & N YOUNG | N RAWILLER (3) | 55.5 | $15 |
| 4 | 17x67 | WU GOK | C WALLER | S CLIPERTON (13) | 55.0 | $51 |
| 5 | 13x50 | RAHEEN HOUSE | K LEES | J R COLLETT (12) | 54.5 | $61 |
| 6 | 6341x | ETAH JAMES | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | REGAN BAYLISS (6) | 53.5 | $61 |
| 7 | 3x092 | SHARED AMBITION | C WALLER | J B MC DONALD (19) | 53.5 | |
| 8 | 91x83 | BRIMHAM ROCKS | C WALLER | B AVDULLA (16) | 53.5 | $8 |
| 9 | 00x32 | HUSH WRITER | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | TIM CLARK (2) | 53.0 | $6.50 |
| 10 | 811x1 | LORD BELVEDERE | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | MS K O'HARA (10) | 52.5 | |
| 11 | 2x678 | CARIF | P & P SNOWDEN | R DOLAN (9) | 52.5 | $34 |
| 12 | 6x695 | RONDINELLA | J O'SHEA | MS R KING (15) | 51.5 | $14 |
| 13 | 6x259 | ANGEL OF TRUTH | M HAWKES | TOMMY BERRY (11) | 51.5 | $26 |
| 14 | 70x70 | AZURO | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | LOUISE DAY (21) | 51.5 | $126 |
| 15 | 00114 | PATHS OF GLORY | R & M FREEDMAN | MS K O'HARA (17) | 50.5 | $23 |
| 16 | 87256 | GIRL TUESDAY | C CONNERS | G BOSS (22) | 50.0 | $21 |
| 17 | 50x00 | MISS SENTIMENTAL | C WALLER | MS J TAYLOR (18) | 50.0 | $126 |
| 18 | 2x804 | ZEBROWSKI | M HAWKES | J INNES JNR (4) | 50.0 | $9 |
| 19 | 36x05 | NORWAY | C WALLER | ALYSHA COLLETT (20) | 50.5 | $126 |
| 20 | 19253 | ATTENTION RUN | K LEES | A GIBBON (1) | 50.0 | $26 |
| 21 | 9x000 | SIR CHARLES ROAD | L SCOTT | 51.0 | $126 | |
| 22 | 08303 | GREY LION | M SMITH | 50.0 | $81 |
OVERVIEW
Another huge field lines up for the Metropolitan, and whilst punters might want to go wide on their quaddies, this race certainly looks a little easier than the previous, with Mugatoo lining up as a $2.65 favourite in early markets. He’s been infallible so far this prep, scoring three consecutive victories. It’s not an open and shut case however, and he’ll face stiff competition from a number of quality stayers.
SPEED MAP
Pace should be moderate here, with Hush Writer set to control the race out in front from gate 2. Wu Gok, Angel of Truth and Etah James should be prominent early, with a gap back to Brimham Rocks and most of the rest. Mugatoo will find himself toward the rear of the field with Mustajeer but Raheen House should be the backmarker in the field.
KEY RUNNERS
- MUGATOO ($2.65)
Mugatoo has been flawless so far this prep, scoring three consecutive wins to kick off the prep. He has displayed his impressive turn of foot in each start and has looked far superior than the field in doing so. He faces his toughest assignment here however, and that not only includes the quality of horses, but also where he gets to in the run. With a clear run he’ll prove extremely hard to beat, but that’s not guaranteed.
- BRIMHAM ROCKS ($8)
Jumped favourite in this race last year, but could only manage 9th, which was just under 4 lengths from the winner. He gets a chance to make amends here and certainly brings in strong enough form. He had a tough run first up but improved jumping up to 2000m last start when hitting the line strongly for third at Group 3 level. Right in this race.
- HUSH WRITER ($6.50)
Was well accounted for by Mugatoo last start in the Newcastle Cup, however, he can hit back here with another favourable run out in front. He looks set to control the race and won’t have to face any of the bad luck that Mugatoo might. He’ll be giving them something to chase here and he might be brave enough to hold on.
BLUEY’S PICK
- MUGATOO ($2.65)
I think a fair number of these can be ruled out, and I think the top three in the market will be fighting out the finish, however, I can’t go past Mugatoo. Despite the potential for bad luck, his form is far superior to most of this field and he looks ready for Group 1 success. With even luck, he should be able to storm over the top of this field.
