Our Ivanhowe topweight for the 2015 Metropolitan

German import Our Ivanhowe has been allocated the topweight for the Group 1 $750,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 3.

The Chris Waller trained Royal Descent is handicapped with 56.5kg for The Metropolitan at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Chris Waller trained Royal Descent is handicapped with 56.5kg for The Metropolitan at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Dual European Group 1 winner has been handicapped with 58kg and is due to kick off his Spring Carnival campaign on Saturday in Group 3 $150,000 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.

The well performed stayer is the winner of two Group 1 races during 2014 in Germany before he was transferred to the Lee and Anthony Freedman stables with victories in the Group 1 €250,000 Longines – Grosser Preis Von Baden (2413m) at Baden Baden on September  7 and in the Group 1 €155,000 Pastorius – Grosser Preis Von Bayern (2414m) at Munich on November 1.

Our Ivanhowe has had one run for the Freedman stable for a seventh to The Bowler in the Group 3 $150,000 Hughes Chauffeured Limousines R A Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville on May 16.

Co-trainer Lee Freedman said that the 2000m of the Foundation Cup, formerly known as the Naturalism Stakes, was the perfect starting point for six year old stayer.

“It fits nicely in terms of time and the speed of a 2000m race under quality handicap conditions will really suit him,” Freedman said.

Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has a long list of seventeen nominations in The Metropolitan with his Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent at the top of the order of entry with 56.5kg.

Melbourne Cup and Sydney Cup placegetter Who Shot Thebarman is the next Waller horse with 55.5kg ahead of Doomben Cup winner Beaten Up  and Moriarty with 54.5kg, and Foreteller, Grand Marshall, Junoob, Opinion, Weary, all on 54kg.

2014 Victoria Derby winner Preferment has been weighted on 53kg along with stablemate Silverball with Beyond Thankful and Hawkspur on 52kg.

The powerful Godolphin stable under the care of trainer John O’Shea, also have a strong presence with Group 1 The BMW winner Hartnell weighted with 57.5kg, 2kg more than stablemate Contributer on 55.5kg.

Hauraki and Havana Cooler are on the 52kg minimum as is the early $9 favourite Magic Hurricane.

The David Vandyke trained Astronomus is another on the minimum with a strong chance after returning to the winner’s list last Saturday week in a 2000m BenchMark 83 Handicap at Randwick.

2014 Sydney Cup winner The Offer is the highest weighted horse from the Gai Waterhouse team on 55kg and is one of six from the top Randwick stable.

Waterhouse’s other entries are Bonfire with 53kg and Cafe Society, King Kinshasa, Bohemian Lily and Zee Zeely all on the 52kg minimum.

The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained Dibayani, weighted on 54kg, has had two runs in Australia for two thirds in the Group 2 $200,000 Back To Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 15 and in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 5.

The final field for The Metropolitan will be released on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.

Early market order for The Metropolitan with Ladbrokes.com.au: $9 Magic Hurricane, $10 Silverball, $11 Beaten Up, Hartnell, Hauraki, $13 Complacent, Orbec, Our Ivanhowe, The Offer, $15 Gust Of Wind, Junoob, Preferment, Who Shot Thebarman, $17 Astronomos, Beyond Thankful, Iggimacool, The United States.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.