Rejuvenated stayer Auvray is not a certain starter in the Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on September 30 after winning the Group 3 $150,000 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill today.

Auvray, above, scores a narrow win in the Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Auvray is now the winner of two of his last three starts and trainer Richard Freedman is tossing up if the seven year old will run in the Metropolitan or in the reinstated $500,000 Heineken 3 St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick on October 14.

In a thrilling finish to the five horse Colin Stephen Quality, Auvray ($3.20) was able to outstay Admiral Jello ($4) by a nose with the $2.70 favourite Broadside squeezed up on the fence a head back in third spot.

Auvray was a winner three starts back over the same track and distance before running second to Broadside in the Group 3 $175,000 XXXX Gold Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) at Newcastle on September 15 with today’s runner up Admiral Jello in third spot at Newcastle.

Auvray had to survive a protest from Corey Brown in the runner up Admiral Jello who was tightened for room between the winner and the third placed Broadside over the final 250m.

Tim Clark had Broadside out in front dictating the tempo and fought back in the straight for a good Metropolitan trial.

Winning jockey Glyn Schofield said that Auvray had proved a handful to ride in the past but was on his best behaviour today.

“I had to produce him a lot earlier today and I had to get a roll,” Schofield said.

“To get a roll on is a 50-50 call because you are not sure going on his past manners if he is gonig to put the effort in, but he certainly did today.

“Richard (Freedman) has done a good job with this fellow. He has been an enigma to train and to ride.”