Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller will saddle up the first three horses in the betting for the Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Libran, above, is one of the top fancies in The Metropolitan at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Libran, above, is one of the top fancies in The Metropolitan at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

European import Libran and the consistent Antonio Giuseppe share favouritism at $5 for The Metropolitan with Ladbrokes.com.au just ahead of Life Less Ordinary at $5.50.

Waller’s fourth runner veteran stayer Who Shot Thebarman has been marked as a $12 chance the feature staying race of the Sydney Spring Carnival.

Stable representative Charlie Duckworth said that they weren’t ruling out the chances of any of their runners who all had their final Metropolitan lead up run in the Group 3 $150,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 16 and finished one, two, three, four, Libran from Antonio Giuseppe, Life Less Ordinary and Who Shot Thebarman.

“All four of these are coming out of the same race and all stepping up to the extra 400m,” Duckworth said.

“I don’t think any one of the four runners that it won’t suit.”

“It will be a very competitive line up for us.”

Libran has found his best form since the 2016 Sydney Autumn Carnival and Duckworth said that the seven year old has come through his Kingston Town Stakes win in fine style.

“Won very well last start. Libran, he is on a comeback trail and has regained his form and his fans from when he went into the Sydney Cup as the first or second favourite eighteen months ago and he is going really well.”

Equal favourite Antonio Giuseppe is better suited at the weights in The Metropolitan plus had the services of Hong Kong’s ‘The Magic Man’ Joao Moreira.

“He carries half a kilo less than he had to carry the other day against some of the same opposition so that is certainly a plus with Joao Moreira,” Duckworth said.

Life Less Ordinary drops 4kg to 51kg on his last start third in the Kingston Town Stakes but has to overcome a wide barrier.

“51kg is obviously a big plus. He carried 55kg and was only beaten two lengths by Libran last start so that is a big vote in his favour,” Duckworth said.

“Kerrin (McEvoy) rides the weight well but barrier eleven makes it a little bit awkward and limits how you can ride him.”

Veteran stayer Who Shot Thebarman produced an eye catching fourth last start and will be given every chance from barrier two with Hugh Bowman in the saddle.

“The nine year old, he is nine years young as they say. Closed off really well last start, he is ready to win a race like this. Barrier two gives him every chance with Hughie on board,” Duckworth said.

The Darren Weir trained Big Duke is pressuring the Waller runners in the betting at $6 but have to reproduce his Autumn form and improve on his last start tenth to Harlem in the Group 3 $150,000 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

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.