Proven stayer Who Shot Thebarman has been well supported in early betting in the lead up to the Group 1 $750,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Who Shot Thebarman, above, has been firm in the betting for the Metropolitan at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Who Shot Thebarman is one of six Chris Waller trained horses set to line up in the Metropolitan and has firmed into $8 with Ladbrokes.com.au after opening up at $11 when the final field was released on Tuesday.
Waller’s other runners are Antonio Giuseppe ($6), Sacred Master ($6.50), Junoob ($13), Storm The Stars ($14) and Grand Marshall ($26).
The eight year old gelding is the winner of the 2014 Group 1 NZ$500,000 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie in New Zealand as well as running third to Protectionist in the 2014 Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Who Shot Thebarman’s other Group 1 placings include a second in the 2015 Group 1 $1.6m Schweppes 150th Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick and a second to stablemate Preferment in the 2016 Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill.
Waller said that Who Shot Thebarman is finding form at the right time with a last start second to Hartnell in the Group 2 $200,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 17.
While Waller said that Who Shot Thebarman probably deserves to be the top weight with 57kg, there are plenty of horses down on the minimum that will be very competitive, including his own Antonio Giuseppe who is posted as the second favourite at $6.
“Not a bad top weight. It is 6kg more than the horses on the limit,” Waller said.
“From the perspective of Who Shot Thebarman he has to be careful of those horses down on the limit.”
“He is a class horse. He showed last start that he is edging his way back into form. This is his right distance.”
The Randwick track was rated a Good 4 at lunchtime on Friday but with the prospect of a few showers today, Waller is hoping the track could drift into the soft category which would suit the former New Zealand stayer.
“There is talk of a bit of rain hanging around until Friday. If we get a soft 5, soft 6 track, it will be right up Who Shot Thebarman’s alley.”
“He is going terrific.”
Hugh Bowman takes over the reins from Christian Reith on Who Shot Thebarman who will jump from barrier eight in the thirteen horse field.
Market order for The Metropolitan at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5.50 Sir John Hawkwood, $6 Antonio Giuseppe, $6.50 Scared Master, $7 Allergic, $8 Who Shot Thebarman, $9.50 Magic Hurricane, $13 Junoob, $14 Storm The Stars, $16 Dee I Cee, $21 Sense Of Occasion, $26 Grand Marshall, $71 Amexed, $201 Quartermaster.
