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Race history and background for the 2017 Metropolitan at Randwick on Saturday featuring a strong contingent of runners from the Chris Waller stable.
The final field and barriers for the 2017 Metropolitan at Randwick on
A field of 12 will do battle in the prestigious staying handicap where topweight Libran is presently the $5.00 favourite.
He has drawn barrier 3 for the event.
Equal second favourites Antonio Giuseppe and Life Less Ordinary have drawn barriers 4 and 11 respectively.
2017 THE METROPOLITAN: RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Metropolitan is a G1 race run under Handicap conditions for open class horses at Randwick conducted by the Australian Turf Club.
The Metropolitan is run over 2400m. It was first run in 1866 and was won by Bylong.
The Metropolitan has been run over the 2400m for some time but was as much as two miles in the early days. It was also 2600m for many editions.
Except under the Principal Race scale, the Metropolitan has always been a Group 1.
The Metropolitan was called the Great Metropolitan Stakes but since 1898 has been the Metropolitan Handicap.
From 1995 to 1999 the AJC changed the conditions to a SW&P event and mares absolutely cleaned up. Last mare to win the Metropolitan was Coco Cobanna in 2000.
Like so many of the Randwick G1s, Gai Waterhouse has dominated - winning the Metrop on eight occasions.
Te Akau Nick was Gai Waterhouse’s first Group 1 winner in 1992.
Junoob lost 2014 Metropolitan on a positive swab.
In consecutive years Railings and Tawqeet won the Caulfield Cup after the Metropolitan.
Following Glastonbury’s win in 1994, Randwick was the subject of a demonstration following a big form reversal.
The 2007 race was not held due to the Equine Influenza break out.
The Metropolitan is worth $750,000 in 2017.
Notable winners of The Metropolitan include Tawqeet (2006), Railings (2005), County Tyrone (2004), Dress Circle (2001), Electronic (1995), Te Akau Nick (1992), Natski (1988), Born To Be Queen (1986), Hayai (1983/1984), Ming Dynasty (1978), Battle Heights (1976), Analie (1973), Tails (1969/1970), Macdougal (1959), Straight Draw (1957), Redcraze (1956), Delta (1951), Beau Vite (1940), Malt King (1911), The Barb (1868) and Tim Whiffler (1867).
The 2016 Metropolitan was won by Sir John Hawkwood from Antonio Giuseppe and Allergic.
WHEN IS THE 2017 METROPOLITAN?
WHEN: Saturday, @ 4:45pm
WHERE: Randwick Racecourse
