ATC Metropolitan Handicap Race Information

The ATC Metropolitan Handicap is a 2400 metre race held under open handicap conditions for horses three-year-old and upwards at Randwick. It is run in late September or early October on Epsom Handicap Day by the Australian Turf Club.

  • Race Type: Group 1
  • Distance: 2400 metres
  • Conditions: Open Handicap, 3YO & upwards
  • Track: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales
  • Prizemoney: $750,000
  • Date: Saturday 5 October 2024

ATC Metropolitan Handicap Race History

The ATC Metropolitan Handicap has a long history and was first run over 16 furlongs (about 3200 metres) in 1863 when it was won by Regno. The distance was reduced to 12 furlongs in 1892 and there have been other distance changes until it became the current 2400 metres in 2001. The only year the race was not held was in 2007 when an outbreak of equine influenza (EI) caused many races in Australia to be cancelled.

Many horses have their lead-up race in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2400 metres two weeks before or the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality Handicap over 2400 metres one week before, and many have won the Colin Stephen – Metropolitan double including Railings (2005), Dress Circle (2001), Coco Cobanna (2000), Vita Man (1999), In Joyment (1998), Heart Ruler (1997), Hula Flight (1996) and Zamination (1993).

Useful Facts

Last mare to win: Montefilia (2021)

Last 3YO to win: C&G  – Marvel Loch (1903); Filly – no filly has won

Multiple winners: Hayai (1983 & 1984); Tails (1969 & 1970); Murray Stream (1945 & 1947): Cagou (1913 and 1917): Mooltan (1907 and 1908).

Fastest time (2400m): Sir John Hawkwood (2005) 2:27:42

Interesting trivia: Race not held in 2007 due to equine influenza.

Past winners of the ATC Metropolitan Handicap

As the Metropolitan is held on the last major race day of the Sydney spring carnival the stronger contestants continue their spring campaigns in Melbourne. Metropolitan winners that have gone on to win the Caulfield Cup are Tawqeet (2006), Railings (2005), Hayai (1983) and Redcraze (1956). Metropolitan winners to win the Melbourne Cup are Macdougal (1959), Straight Draw (1957), Dalray (10952), Delta (1951) and Tim Whiffler (1867).

No horse has ever won the Australian handicap treble of the ATC Metropolitan, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup. Five horses have won the race twice and these are Hayai (1983 and 1984), Tails (1969 and 1970), Murray Stream (1945 and 1947), Cagou (1913 and 1917) and Mooltan (1907 and 1908).

Year Winner Second Third
2024 Land Legend Zardozi Unusual Legacy
2023 Just Fine Spirit Ridge Kalapour
2022 No Compromise Le Don De Vie Realm Of Flowers
2021 Montefilia Entente Harpo Marx
2020 Mirage Dancer Mugatoo Angel of Truth
2019 Come Play With Me Gallic Chieftain Charles Road
2018 Patrick Erin Brimham Rocks Sikandarabad
2017 Foundry Big Duke (IRE) Chocante (NZ)
2016 Sir John Hawkwood Antonio Giuseppe Allergic
2015 Magic Hurricane Beaten Up Havana Cooler
2014 Opinion(Junoob was disqualified) Araldo Kingdoms
2013 Seville Julienas Sneak A Peek
2012 Glencadam Gold Kelinni Reuben Percival
2011 The Verminator Hawk Island Lamasery
2010 Herculian Prince Mourayan No Wine No Song
2009 Speed Gifted Lodge The Deeds Fiumicino (NZ)
2008 Newport Bianca (NZ) Get Up Jude
2007 RACE NOT RUN
2006 Tawqeet (USA) Activation (NZ) Vanquished
2005 Railings Run Rita Run Men At Work (NZ)
2004 County Tyrone Itemise (USA) Don Raphael
2003 Bedouin Daneborogh Bodie (NZ)
2002 Victory Smile (NZ) Piachay (NZ) Dress Circle (NZ)
2001 Dress Circle (NZ) Danyon Homewrecker (NZ)
2000 Coco Cobanna (NZ) Pasta Express Citra’s Prince (NZ)

2018 ATC Metropolitan Handicap Tips:

Track: Slow   Weather: Overcast

There is a full field of 18 runners plus an emergency for the $750,000 The Heineken 3 Metropolitan, and eight of them are trained by Chris Waller. The early betting is quite open and the early favourite is Brimham Rocks who has placed at all 3 runs this campaign including 2nd in the Kingston Town last outing. Second favourite is Miss Admiration, who came away to win the Colin Stephen by 1.8 lengths at Rosehill last week. Third favourite is UK import High Bridge who was raced over hurdles before coming to Australia and won both starts here on the flat.

Big Duke was runner-up in this race last year and ran on very strongly when 5th in the Kingston Town last outing. Libran only got clear late when 7th in the Kingston Town. Patrick Erin was 4th in the Kingston Town , while Wall Of Fire hasn’t started since the 2017 Melbourne Cup. The Lord Mayor has won his last 2 starts, both over 2000m, but is yet to be proven beyond that distance. All other runners are currently 14 to 1 or longer including Sin To Win who was 3rd in the Colin Stephen.

For tips on this years Metropolitan Handicap check out the top picks from our expert racing tipster panel. Tips for the weekends racing are uploaded every Friday The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
10 Brimham Rocks
9 Miss Admiration
2 Big Duke
16 High Bridge