2021 The Metropolitan Race Details
Race 9 at Randwick on Saturday 2 October 2021.
The ATC Metropolitan Handicap is a 2400 metre race held by the Australian Turf Club at Randwick. It is an open handicap for horses three-year-old and upwards run in late September or October on Epsom Handicap Day
You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Metropolitan Handicap page.
The Metropolitan 2021 Preview
Track: Good Weather: Fine
A field of 17 runners remain for the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap following the early scratchings of Shared Ambition, Mirage Dancer ( the 2020 winner), Kukeracha and Long Arm. Seven of them had their last start in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup over 2300m on 17 September and five had their last start in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m at Randwick on 18 September. Chris Waller has four runners, Team Hawkes have two, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have two, Bjorn Baker has two and so do Anthony & Sam Freedman. There are 13 geldings, a stallion and three mares.
The early favourite is four-year-old mare Montefilia who was 2nd in the Kingston Town and had the best last 800m race sectional. Second favourite is Entente who was a strong winner of the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality over 2400m last start. Third favourite is She’s ideel who was the winner of the Kingston Town last outing.
Zeyrek was 4th in the Kingston Town only has 50 kg to carry. No Compromise was 3rd in the Newcastle Gold Cup and has won at this track and distance before. Attorney finished 6th in the Kingston Town with the best last 600m race sectional. Harpo Marx was held up before finishing 3.6 lengths 6th in the Newcastle Gold Cup. Great House was the winner of the Newcastle Gold Cup, while Luncies finished 4th. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.
2021 Metropolitan Handicap Runner by Runner
1. Spirit Ridge
This seven-year-old Nathaniel gelding trained by Mark Newnham has six wins and seven places from 21 starts, and is the topweight in the race this year. Has a good record at this distance and is a place chance.
2. Shared Ambition – SCRATCHED
3. Quick Thinker
Has had three starts since resuming and battled on well when runner up in the Newcastle Cup last start. Expect him to run well.
4. Dashing Willoughby
One of four runners for Chris Waller. Hasn’t beaten many homes in his two starts this preparation and has not managed to place in five previous Group 1 starts.
5. Angel Of Truth
One of two runners for Team Hawkes. Ran 3rd in this race last year but isn’t going as well this year and has drawn wide in barrier 19.
6. Mirage Dancer – SCRATCHED
7. Warning
One of two runners for Anthony & Sam Freedman. Won the 2019 Victoria Derby so can handle the distance. Rough place chance here third-up from a spell.
8. Montefilia
Four-year-old mare who was 2nd in the Kingston Town last outing and had the best last 800m race sectional. She has drawn very wide but is still one of the main hopes.
9. Attorney
Finished 6th in the Kingston Town with the best last 600m race sectional. Won the Pakenham Cup third up last preparation and no surprise to see him in the finish, although he is another who has drawn very wide.
10. Le Don De Vie
Has drawn the outside barrier. Is having his first Group 1 race and looks tested.
11. Kukeracha – SCRATCHED
12. She’s Ideel
One of two runners for Bjorn Baker. She was the winner of the Kingston Town last outing when the jockey was a half-kilo over. She is a good staying mare who ran 4th in the Sydney Cup at the end of last campaign, so the distance won’t worry her. One of the main chances.
13. Harpo Marx
He was held up before finishing 3.6 lengths 6th in the Newcastle Gold Cup and has a couple of wins over this distance. Can go well and could place here.
14. Entente
One of two runners for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. He was a strong winner of the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality over 2400m last start and is a strong chance from an ideal barrier.
15. Great House
Was the winner of the Newcastle Gold Cup. Drops 2 kg from that run and it would be no surprise to see him run well again.
16. Hush Writer
Resumed for 7th in the Newcastle Gold Cup. May need a run or two to show his best.
17. No Compromise
Was 3rd in the Newcastle Gold Cup and has won at this track and distance before. Likes this distance but this is a big class rise.
18. Charms Star
Was runner up in the Queensland Oaks during the Winter Carnival. Lightly raced with plenty of upside.
19. Luncies – 1st Emergency
Finished 4th in the Newcastle Gold Cup. Following the early scratchings he gets the inside barrier.
20. Zeyreck – 2nd Emergency
Gets a start following the early scratchings. Was 4th in the Kingston Town and only has 50 kg to carry. Could place.
21. Long Arm – 3rd Emergency – SCRATCHED
The Metropolitan 2021 Tips
The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.
|
Jo’s Tips
|
||
| 12 She’s Ideel | ||
| 14 Entente | ||
| 8 Montefilia | ||
| 13 Harpo Marx |
Previews for other races this week
Group 1 Epsom Handicap 2021 (Randwick 1600m)
Group 1 Turnbull Stakes 2021 (Flemington 2000m)
Group 2 Gilgai Stakes 2021 (Flemington 1200m)
Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes 2021 (Flemington 1410m)
Group 2 Danehill Stakes 2021 (Flemington 1100m)
Group 3 The Bart Cummings 2021 (Flemington 2520m)
Listed Kalgoorlie Cup 2021 (Kalgoorlie 2200m)
2021 The Metropolitan Results
| Result | Horse | Margin |
| 1st | 8. Montefilia | |
| 2nd | 14. Entente | 0.09 length |
| 3rd | 13. Harpo Marx | 1.17 lengths |
| 4th | 20. Zeyrek | 1.48 lengths |
The track was rated as Good 4.
Scratchings: 2. Shared Ambition, 6. Mirage Dancer, 11. Kukeracha, 21. Long Arm