The Metropolitan 2026 Odds, Betting & Race Preview

Looking for this year’s top The Metropolitan betting tips, form guide and racing markets? The expert tipsters at Neds have put together everything you need to know on the race.

2026 The Metropolitan Odds

The Metropolitan odds 2026 are already shifting as key stayers progress through their traditional lead‑up races, with weight changes, distance rises and early sectionals driving market activity. Punters are watching closely for runners peaking at the right time over the testing Randwick 2400m, with proven stayers and strong on‑pacers attracting early support. As the field firms and spring staying form becomes clearer, The Metropolitan betting 2026 market grows increasingly competitive, and Neds keeps you ahead of the move with updated markets, sharp form reads and value‑focused analysis for this time‑honoured Group 1 handicap.

The latest The Metropolitan odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.

The Metropolitan 2026 Tips

Our exclusive The Metropolitan 2026 betting tips and selections will be updated right here the week of the race and a full tipping preview available on the Neds Blog.

The Group 1 The Metropolitan is a mile and a half classic (2400m) contested at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Epsom Handicap Day during the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.

Known under various names, The Metropolitan has been previously run as the Great Metropolitan Stakes, Metropolitan Stakes, and the Metropolitan Handicap. It has held Group 1 status since 1979.

This race can be a good lead up to the Caulfield Cup, with some horses taking the double last decade. Both races are 2,400 metres and open to horses three years old or over, though they are run in opposite directions. Tawqeet (2006) and Railings (2005) are the most recent winners of The Metropolitan – Caulfield Cup double. 

First contested in 1863, the time-honoured handicap can also serve as a potential lead-up into the iconic Melbourne Cup race over the two-miles at Flemington the first Tuesday of November. Five horses have won The Metropolitan – Melbourne Cup double in the same season, but not since Macdougal way back in 1959.

The Metropolitan is also now one of four lead-up races that offer a $500,000 bonus to any horse that can win it along with the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) run on The Golden Eagle Day in late October.

A nice starting point for potential The Metropolitan runners is the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) run on a Friday in early September and The Verminator (2011) was the last stayer to complete the Wyong Gold Cup – The Metropolitan double.

The Metropolitan 2026 – Fast Facts

• Race Day: Saturday, October 3, 2026
• Track Location: Randwick Racecourse
• Track Surface: Turf
• Track Direction: Right-handed
• Race Distance: 2,400 metres
• Weight Class: Handicap
• Qualification: Three-year-olds and older
• Type: Thoroughbred
• Grade: Group 1
• Operator: Australian Turf Club
• Prize Purse: $750,000
• Inaugural Race: 1863
• 2026 The Metropolitan Winner: TBD

The Metropolitan 2026 Results

The official 2026 The Metropolitan results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2026. 

The Metropolitan Betting 2026

There are many different ways to bet on The Metropolitan Handicap, and we have included some of the most popular options below:

Bet Type	How to Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s The Metropolitan
Place Bet	Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s The Metropolitan. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds.
Each-Way Bet	If your runner finishes 1st in The Metropolitan, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend.
Quinella Bet	You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within The Metropolitan, in order to win the Quinella.
Exacta Bet	You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within The Metropolitan to win the Exacta.
Trifecta Bet	You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within The Metropolitan to win the Trifecta.
First Four	You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the correct order, within The Metropolitan to win the First 4.
Quadrella Bet (Quaddie)	You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from The Metropolitan, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie.

How to Bet on The Metropolitan in 2026

1. Join up at neds
2. Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
3. Make sure to check out the form guide, once it’s released
4. Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options
5. Select the horse(s) for the race.

Which Horse Will Win The Metropolitan in 2026

When deciding on which horse will win The Metropolitan in 2026 there are a number of key factors to consider including their lead-up spring racing form, allocated weight and ability over the mile and a half.

Other things to look at when picking The Metropolitan winner include:

• Gai Factor – Trainer Gai Waterhouse boasts nine previous wins in The Metropolitan so her stayers often make a good bet with her latest being Just Fine (2023) in partnership with Adrian Bott.
• Sydney Lead-Up – From 2008-2025 just four The Metropolitan winners came off a non-Sydney lead-up.
• Premier’s Cup – The Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) in August serves as a nice early lead-up and Magic Hurricane (2015) was the last to do the double.
• Older Horses – Montefilia (2021) was the first The Metropolitan winner under the age of five since Railings (2005).

The Metropolitan Favourites 2026

The Metropolitan favourites for 2026 at time of publish include the Bjorn Baker-trained ATC Derby winner Green Spaces, smart stayer King Pedro and Chris Waller’s Ocean Park mare Ohope Wins who completed the NZ Oaks – ATC Oaks Trans-Tasman double as a filly.

Just Fine ($1.75 in 2023) was the last The Metropolitan favourite to win.

The Metropolitan Field 2026

The official The Metropolitan 2026 field of final acceptances is released on the Tuesday of race week and will be available in full below. The Metropolitan field capacity is for 18 starters. 

The Metropolitan 2026 Race Day

The Metropolitan 2026 takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as part of Epsom Handicap Day 2026 which features a triple shot of Group 1 racing action. Along with The Metropolitan the other key features running at Royal Randwick that day are the:

• Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m),
• Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m),
• Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m),
• Group 3 Gimcarck Stakes (1000m), and the
• Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m).

The Metropolitan 2026 Barrier Draw

The official The Metropolitan 2026 barrier draw is conducted the Tuesday of race week and will be available in our above The Metropolitan Field section.

The Metropolitan Nominations 2026

Closing time for The Metropolitan 2026 nominations is 12PM on Monday the 7th of September 2026.

The Metropolitan Weights 2026

The Metropolitan race is run with a handicap. The lowest handicap weight is 50 kgs, with three-year-olds allowed to run at a minimum of 48 kgs. Final weights will be declared by 4 PM, on the 14th of September 2026. The official 2026 The Metropolitan weights will be available in our above The Metropolitan Field section. 

2026 The Metropolitan Topweight:

• TBD

The Metropolitan Acceptances 2026

Acceptances will be declared before 9 AM on the Tuesday of race week. The official 2026 The Metropolitan acceptances will be available in our above The Metropolitan Field section. 

The Metropolitan Jockeys 2026

Riders must be announced by 12 PM on the Wednesday of race week. The official 2026 The Metropolitan jockeys will be available in our above The Metropolitan Field section. 

The Metropolitan Scratchings 2026

2026 The Metropolitan final scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2026. 

The Metropolitan 2026 Prize Money

The total 2026 The Metropolitan prize purse is $750,000 – distributed to places first through tenth.

Place	Prize Money
1st	$430,500
2nd	$141,000
3rd	$74,250
4th	$33,375
5th	$18,375
6th	$7,500
7th	$7,500
8th	$7,500
9th	$7,500
10th	$7,500

The Metropolitan Race Number 2026

The 2026 The Metropolitan race number is TBC for Epsom Handicap Day, Saturday, October 3, 2026. There are ten races in total that day at Royal Randwick.

The Metropolitan 2026 Form Guide

The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 The Metropolitan Form Guide following final acceptances. 

The Metropolitan Live 2026

You can watch or listen to the 2026 The Metropolitan live, across the following mediums.

Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)

Radio: Radio Sport National

Free-to-air television: Seven Network

Streaming: Racing NSW

The Metropolitan Winners (Past Results)

A list of the past The Metropolitan Handicap winners in Australia going back to 1930 can be found below. View a complete list of past The Metropolitan winners from the race’s inauguration to the present.

Just Fine set a new track record winning the 2023 The Metropolitan in 2 minutes 26.11 seconds.

Year	Winner	Jockey	Weight (kg)	Time
2026	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
2025	Royal Supremacy	R. Dolan	50	2:26.84
2024	Land Legend	R. Jones	51	2:27.47
2023	Just Fine	R. King	50	2:26.11
2022	No Compromise	T. Berry	53.5	2:38.13
2021	Montefilia	H. Bowman	55.5	2:27.79
2020	Mirage Dancer	N. Rawiller	55.5	2:27.52
2019	Come Play With Me	B. Avdulla	54	2:30.61
2018	Patrick Erin	C. Brown	51	2:29.61
2017	Foundry	M. J DEE	50.5	2:27.73
2016	Sir John Hawkwood	B. Spriggs	54	2:30.47
2015	Magic Hurricane	J. B McDonald	55.5	2:28.52
2014	Opinion	T. Angland	56	2:26.51
2013	Seville	H. Bowman	55.5	2:32.07
2012	Glencadam Gold	T. Berry	53	2:29.71
2011	The Verminator	C. Newitt	52	2:33.46
2010	Herculian Prince	N. Rawiller	55.5	2:29.95
2009	Speed Gifted	C. Brown	53	2:35.18
2008	Newport	P. Wells	52	2:33.06
2007	Race Not Run	–	–	–
2006	Tawqeet	D. Dunn	54	2:31.10
2005	Railings	D. Beadman	53.5	2:28.49
2004	County Tyrone	C. Brown	56.5	2:33.62
2003	Bedouin	G. Boss	54	2:34.41
2002	Victory Smile	D. Beasley	52	2:31.30
2001	Dress Circle	L. Beasley	51	2:29.38
2000	Coco Cobanna	C. Munce	52	2:44.33
1999	Vita Man	B. York	55	2:48.41
1998	In Joyment	L. Cassidy	52	2:45.71
1997	Heart Ruler	J. Cassidy	52	2:41.55
1996	Hula Flight	C. Munce	50	2:44.38
1995	Electronic	G. Boss	52	2:42.54
1994	Glastonbury	G. Cooksley	52	2:41.64
1993	Zamination	J. Cassidy	51.5	2:49.00
1992	Te Akau Nick	L. Dittman	52	2:44.10
1991	Lord Revenir	G. Cooksley	53.5	2:41.10
1990	Donegal Mist	G. Cooksley	51.5	2:44.00
1989	Hunter	J. Cassidy	52.5	2:42.80
1988	Natski	L. Dittman	53	2:41.80
1987	Balciano	P. Cook	50.5	2:40.80
1986	Born To Be Queen	R. Quinton	50.5	2:42.20
1985	Spritely Native	J. Cassidy	50.5	2:44.20
1984	Hayai	R. Quinton	57.5	2:43.00
1983	Hayai	N. Voigt	52.5	2:27.80
1982	Nicholas John	P. Cook	49.5	2:42.50
1981	Belmura Lad	L. Olsen	55	2:42.30
1980	Brindisi	R. Selkrig	50.5	2:42.00
1979	Earthquake McGoon	G. Willetts	51	2:42.00
1978	Ming Dynasty	K. Langby	59.5	2:45.20
1977	Sir Serene	P. Cook	49	2:41.10
1976	Battle Heights	R. Lang	56.5	2:46.90
1975	Bon Teint	K. Langby	47.5	2:43.70
1974	Passetreul	R. Higgins	55.5	2:43.30
1973	Analie	K. Langby	54.5	2:42.70
1972	Altai Khan	R. Mallyon	50	2:46.30
1971	Oncidon	K. Langby	7 5	2:43.10
1970	Tails	H. Cope	8 13	2:45.00
1969	Tails	N. Voigt	8 0	2:45.40
1968	Wiedersehen	S. Spinks	8 0	2:42.80
1967	General Command	G. Podmore	8 2	2:41.20
1966	Duo	G. Podmore	7 10	2:45.70
1965	Striking Force	K. Langby	8 7	2:41.80
1964	Piper’s Son	D. Lake	7 13	2:44.80
1963	Galerus	A. Mulley	8 2	2:41.90
1962	The Dip	W.A. Smith	7 3	2:42.70
1961	Waipari	T. Hill	8 10	2:42.50
1960	Red Wind	H. Cope	7 0	2:46.30
1959	Macdougal	R. Hutchinson	8 6	2:45.80
1958	Monte Carlo	N. Sellwood	9 3	2:42.50
1957	Straight Draw	N. McGrowdie	7 13	2:43.50
1956	Redcraze	A. Ward	9 8	2:42.70
1955	Beaupa	G. Podmore	7 11	2:43.80
1954	Commodore	S. Cassidy	7 5	2:42.25
1953	Carioca	W. Cook	9 7	2:43.50
1952	Dalray	K. Nuttall	9 1	3:02.50
1951	Delta	N. Sellwood	9 5	2:44.50
1950	Conductor	A. Thompson	7 11	2:48.75
1949	Count Cyrano	W. Cook	7 9	2:49.00
1948	Buonarroti Boy	E. Doon	7 10	2:46.75
1947	Murray Stream	J. Eaves	8 6	2:45.75
1946	Cordale	G. Moore	8 7	2:44.00
1945	Murray Stream	N. McGrowdie	7 6	2:45.50
1944	Nightbeam	N. McGrowdie	7 2	2:43.50
1943	Main Topic	E. Bartle	8 13	2:41.50
1942	Grand Fils	E.T. Ross	7 12	2:45.50
1941	Dashing Cavalier	F. Shean	9 0	2:41.50
1940	Beau Vite	E. McMenamin	9 4	2:42.00
1939	Feminist	W. Cook	7 11	2:48.75
1938	Royal Chief	E. Bartle	8 13	2:42.75
1937	Sir Regent	J. O’Sullivan	7 2	2:45.75
1936	Young Crusader	J. Duncan	6 11	2:43.25
1935	Oro	J. Pratt	8 9	2:46.25
1934	Waikare	J. Pratt	8 1	2:49.75
1933	Regal Son	J. O’Sullivan	7 6	2:54.50
1932	Denis Boy	M. McCarten	8 6	2:44.75
1931	Strength	E. Bartle	8 0	2:45.50
1930	Cragford	A. Breasley	7 5	2:43.00