Imported stayer Spillway has been included in the 2014 The Metropolitan field and will have his last chance to earn a start in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Spillway is rated one of the leading chance in the 2014 The Metropolitan. Photo by: Steve Hart
Spillway (barrier nine) has had only one previous start at Royal Randwick, when he took out the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) in April, and has performed well in his three race starts since starting his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
The Rail Link entire resumed with a narrow second behind Star Rolling in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16 and was fourth in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) before he had no luck when seventh in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 20.
The Metropolitan does not offer ballot exempt entry into the Caulfield Cup, but the winner can be awarded a weight penalty by Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter and any penalty would likely be enough to push Spillway into the Caulfield Cup.
The weights for The Metropolitan have been raised by three and a half kilograms and the Chris Waller-trained duo of Junoob and Bagman will carry the top weight of 58 kilograms in the Group 1 event.
Junoob is taking winning form into The Metropolitan after he led all the way to win the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on September 20, while veteran stayer Bagman is racing in the best form of his career after finishing in the placings in both the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 6 and the Hill Stakes.
Bagman may need a bit of luck in The Metropolitan after drawing barrier 12, but Junoob has drawn ideally in gate 3.
Waller has five runners in the 2014 The Metropolitan field and he will also be represented in the race by Opinion, Brigantin and Our Voodoo Prince.
Opinion (barrier 14) finished second behind The Offer in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) and is stepping up to a more suitable distance, while the step-up in trip should also suit Brigantin (barrier 11) who worked home strongly to finish second in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m).
Our Voodoo Prince was rated a leading Caulfield Cup contender at the start of the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but he has not impressed in his three race starts since returning to the races and he would need to improve to record a maiden win at Group 1 level.
La Amistad is another hose that went into their spring campaign with high expectations that is yet to live up to the hype.
The three-quarters sister to Makybe Diva resumed with a fast-finishing third in the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury on August 21, but was only plain in both the Kingston Town Stakes and the Hill Stakes.
The Newcastle Gold Cup is always a key lead-up race to The Metropolitan and Team Snowden-trained Disclaimer will be the latest horse given the chance to complete the double.
The Dansili gelding relished the step-up to 2300 metres in the Newcastle Gold Cup, but jockey Christian Reith, who will be returning from Hong Kong to take the ride, will need a bit of luck after drawing barrier 15.
Another horse in The Metropolitan field that is taking winning form into the event is Kiwi stayer Deane Martin.
Deane Martin stamped himself as a stayer to watch when he finished third behind He’s Your Man in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 13 before he recorded his maiden Australian race win with an impressive effort in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m).
The 2014 The Metropolitan field is rounded out by Gai Waterhouse-trained Travolta (barrier two), imported stayer Araldo (barrier 16), Brian Smith-trained Kingdoms (barrier five), Newcastle Cup placegetter Wish Come True (barrier four), Godolphin stayer Tupac Amaru (barrier 13), Iggi Pop (barrier one) and Paul Perry-trained Khalid (barrier seven).
