Metropolitan Handicap

The Metropolitan Nominations have finally been released and on the list it’s easy to see that we’re in for an absolute beauty of a race in 2011.

All up there are 118 horses gunning for a spot in The Metropolitan this year with the race carving a growing following among trainers and the general public alike.

It’s a Group 1 race across 2400m on the biggest race day of the Sydney spring carnival.

On the same card is the feature event Epsom Handicap as well as the Flight Stakes and the Spring Champion Stakes.

The Metropolitan itself is contested across 2400m and worth $400,000 in prize money on Saturday the first of October.

It’s also the ideal lead up event for runners heading south for the cups circuit down in Melbourne.

The Metropolitan has provided plenty of winners for both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup as horses step up to the two miles.

Obviously we can’t go through each of the 118 nominations individually at this stage but there are a couple we’ve picked out which are worth particular attention.

Bid Spotter has a growing rap from the Graeme Rogerson stable and will be one of a big New Zealand contingent. These horses don’t come across unless they are up to the task so give this bloke some serious consideration.

Black And Bent is the pinup boy of jumps racing, he’s won everything he could have and is in a class of his own. That’s convinced the Smerdon crew to get him up for the flat events of the spring, the way he’s going he’ll be a player.

Essence Of Success is already into its prep but is making a habit of winning in the lower grades. Needs to step up in distance and grade but is on the right track for Gai Waterhouse.

Hawk island was arguably the form stayer of the Sydney autumn but a fall in the Sydney Cup ended his campaign when many agree he looked the winner on the turn. He’s come back in good order and a bit of rain will help him no end.

Stand To Gain revelled in the wet conditions over the autumn to win his maiden Group 1 and he can cover the distance with ease, that makes him a big player. The fact he’s from the Waller camp only strengthens his claims in The Metropolitan 2011.

Tinseltown won the Queensland Cup over two miles so he’ll well and truly run through the 2400m. He was the other horse involved in the fall with Hawk Island in the Sydney Cup but his Brisbane success proved there are no lingering issues there.

Vesper came back two weeks ago and in a sprint event performed much better than expected to come home in fourth. That gives plenty of confidence to his trainers for the longer events in the spring, the Metropolitan could well be it.

These are just a few of the big hopes for the Metropolitan in 2011 with still a long way to go until final acceptances are made.

Make sure you watch these horse sin their lead up runs so you can give yourself a better idea of how well they’re going heading into the race.

Remember that the gurus over at Luxbet will be watching as well and their odds will be changing accordingly.

So watch closely and see if you can’t pick up on something they miss, it’ll give you some great value odds for a horse that could be well and truly in the race.

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The Metropolitan Nominations 2011