Metropolitan Preview

Royal Randwick’s Metropolitan Preview 

A Group 1 handicap for 3YO and upwards at Royal Randwick. Over the 2400m on what should be a soft track. Featuring emerging talents and some conditioned classy stayers it should be an interesting race to determine who will be competitive for other features later in the spring.

Stockman will be hard to beat here. He loves the wet and has been racing extremely well in good company. Most recent run was good when finishing strongly behind Alegron in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes. Stepping back up in distance to a range where he’s only been out of the placings once and will be rock hard fit is all a positive and I think on this track he will be extremely hard to beat with a good pace being set here.

Le Don De Vie was a forgive run last start and was good two starts back in much weaker grade. Has had a five week freshen up since then and was ok in a quiet trial at Warwick Farm. Maps for an interesting run and will be running on well if can get the right run, however, think others are stronger here but is still a top 4 hope.

Kukeracha is getting fitter now and could be an improver here. The concern is that when asked he didn’t find much in the Kingston Town over 2000m. The only start that he’s contested over the trip he was a winner and is proven on a soft track. Will get an economical run from barrier 1 and will find it easier on the pace but will need to drastically improve to be any chance of being competitive here.

Arapaho was good in the Newcastle Gold Cup and has been racing consistently prior to that. Loves a soft track and has raced well at Randwick in the past. Draws tricky but should find a nice spot just behind the pace and represents some value here for the placings and exotics markets with previous form.

Mankayan has been racing well in a weaker grade but faces a tougher test here. His last run in the Newcastle Cup was average and draws for a tricky run here. Runs well with the sting out of the ground and has won over the trip but would rather watch here.

No Compromise is a distance specialist and will head into this rock-hard fit. Draws for a really positive run and has been traveling well enough to be a top four hope here.

Durston looks to keep his winning ways in check here after securing the Wyong and Newcastle cups. Had two starts over 2400m for one placing but his last start suggests that the trip shouldn’t be a problem. Well weighted and does like a soft track, he is a genuine danger to take this out.

Sacramento was good last start when jumping straight up to the 2300m. Is fitter now and will be trying to run them into the ground. If crosses and gets some cheap splits he could be a place chance even though he faces a much stronger class than usual here.

Realm Of Flowers comes here third up and should be extremely fit. Battled on well last start on testing ground and will appreciate it being a bit firmer. Has the ability to run some quick times and very flashy races although think others are better suited here but does have the ability to run in the top 4.

Grove Ferry won well last start over the trip in what was a very brave display and comes here off a quick backup. Should be able to cross from the wide draw and sit outside the leaders. Steps up in grade here which might prove a challenge but has the ability to run in the placings.

Carif was honest as always at Newcastle. Runs on soft ground have been hit and miss and has only placed once over the distance from 5 starts. Think this might be too much of a challenge for him.

Chalk Stream has his first run for the new King and was ok last start but faded late on very heavy ground. Does do a bit wrong which is a concern but is proven over the trip and has minimal weight here. Should get an ok run and if does all things right might be able to sneak into the top 4.

Hameron takes a massive step up in grade and rises in distance to the 2400m for the first time. Was good last start when hitting the line and might have found those a bit too sharp. Has never ran out of the placings but cant see him being competitive here.

On top hope is Stockman with Arapaho and Durston in for the minor placings.