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.

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 following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
12 She’s Ideel
14 Entente
8 Montefilia
13 Harpo Marx

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