It’s ‘Super Saturday’ at Randwick on Saturday, with three Group l races on the card, one of those being The Metropolitan (2400m), where Chris Waller has a strong hand.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 The Metropolitan.
Market 💰: View the Odds for The Metropolitan Handicap
2022 The Metropolitan Speed Map
Sacramento loves to dominate his races from the front so I think they will roll forward. Chalk Stream is very one paced so you’d think they’ll be positive from the outset with him. Carif won’t be far away while Hameron, with the lightweight, can be placed handy on the quick back up given he’s another that can be one paced.
2022 The Metropolitan Runner Preview
1.Stockman: He’s right on track. Comes through the Kingston Town when back in the run and was good late without threatening behind Alegron. Proven performer at the trip at this level and if the rain comes, he is right in the mix as a leading contender. Hopefully they can ride with more intent.
2.Le Don De Vie: Hasn’t raced since August 20, which usually means no, no chance. But it’s Maher/Eustace and they are rewriting the training methods when it comes to preparing a stayer. Last run saw him finish midfield behind Arapaho. Okay trial, but have to respect the stable and they find J Mac, plus swims, so wetter the better.
3.Kukeracha: Proven at the trip but jury out on how well he is going. Just a run in the Kingston Town and thought he was entitled to do much more late behind Alegron. I prefer others ahead of him from that form reference.
4.Arapaho: His run in the Newcastle Cup was much better than what it reads. He came widest in the straight to make his run and the inside was red hot, where Durston was. He loves getting his feet wet and does get serious weight relief. If the rain comes, I could easily speck him.
5.Mankayan: On paper, he was quite plain in the Newcastle Cup, but apparently post race, the tongue was over the bit so that’s a clear excuse to forgive the run. Form prior was very strong and with the Maher/Eustace polish, I can’t pen him.
6.No Compromise: Looks to have been set for the race. He was good in defeat two back in the Chelmsford before going to the Kingston Town where he was a bit on the flat side but looked like he wanted further, which he gets here. Not dismissing him.
7.Durston: It’s hard to get away from Durston. He is flying for Chris Waller, winning the Wyong Cup and Newcastle Cup respectively. Each time he has been given a 12/10 by J Mac and has spanked them both runs. He’s got that sense of timing, in form, handles all conditions and has change up speed, something most of these do not.
8.Sacramento: Gets a kind map, but the problem with him is the rain. If it arrives, I’d treat him as a scratching because he is absolutely legless when getting his feet wet. If the track is Soft5/6, he’s a sneaky first four hope because he does get a soft lead.
9.Surefire: I’d love to see him on a dry track. Firmest track he has raced on in Australia was first up this prep and he was electric when winning over 1400m at Rosehill. If rain comes, I think he’s a chance, but he’s clearly a better horse on top of the ground. Ridden upside down in the Kingston Town, I am not penning him.
10.Realm Of Flowers: Realm Of Flowers is third up from a break and should just about be at peak fitness. Was okay late fresh behind Lord Ardmore before going to Randwick and she battled on well enough in testing conditions when third to Cadre Du Noir. Eats up a truly run 2400m and has upside, plus won’t mind juice in the track.
11.Grove Ferry: The ride won the race last Saturday in the Colin Stephen, but I will say it was a very weak edition, because he beat pretty much benchmark horses, much weaker than what he faces here. He’s found winning form though and is right down in the weights. First four contender.
12.Carif: Got a soft time of it on speed in the Newcastle Cup and battled on well to run second to Durston, albeit was nearer the inside, so perhaps a touch flattered. Prefer him on dry ground though so the rain forecast is a concern.
13.Francesco Guardi: Francesco Guardi is sneaky flying for Chris Waller. On paper, it was just a run in the Kingston Town, but the race shape and splits indicate the run had plenty of merit. He had a break between runs and was building the revs nicely but just couldn’t quite sustain. Better for the run, he’s dangerous at odds.
14.Chalk Stream: Chalk Stream is a working progress for Chris Waller. Bombed the start fresh in a total forgive. He then went to the City Tatts Cup where they rode with intent, going forward, but he couldn’t go with Cadre Du Noir, finishing a well held fourth. If this becomes survival of the fittest, that will be his best chance.
15.Hameron: If he runs, he’s the bet each way. He ran last Saturday at Rosehill and was given absolutely no hope with the ride, but he rocketed to the line to finish third. He only has 51kg on his back and swims, plus a Waller horse on the back up…the signs are there to suggest he’s here to rock and roll.
2022 The Metropolitan $100 Betting Strategy:
The bet for me is Hameron. I’ll be having $20 Win/$80 Place. He had no luck last weekend, he’ll run the trip, handles all conditions and has more upside than most.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $650
Group l Strategy Return: $375
2022 Metropolitan Handicap Odds
