The Metropolitan



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.

Montefilia | Photo: Steve Hart | Neds

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 2024 – Fast Facts

  • Race Day: Saturday, October 5th, 2024
  • 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
  • 2024 The Metropolitan Winner: Land Legend

the metropolitan 2024 RESULTS

The official 2024 The Metropolitan results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, October 5, 2024. 

  1. #14 Land Legend
  2. #10 Zardozi
  3. #21e Unusual Legacy 

The 2024 The Metropolitan winner was the Chris Waller-trained import Land Legend ($7.50) who was brave holding out Zardozi for a narrow win ahead of the Spring Cups.

The Metropolitan Betting 2024

New Ways to Bet at neds

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 In 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 2024

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Join up at neds.com.au

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

The Metropolitan 2024 Odds

Early market betting odds on the 2024 The Metropolitan will be displayed below once available. Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live markets, please visit neds.com.au.

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Timezone: all times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time

WHICH HORSE WILL WIN THE Metropolitan IN 2024

When deciding on which horse will win The Metropolitan in 2024 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 2008-2024 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 2024

The Metropolitan favourites for 2024 include First Light coming off a three-length Colin Stephen win at the track last weekend, the fellow Chris Waller-trained import Land Legend set to appreciate the 51kg light weight, and last year’s VRC Oaks winner Zardozi for James Cummings.

The Metropolitan favourites have a poor recent record in the event with only three saluting from 2006-24.

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

The Metropolitan Field 2024

The official The Metropolitan 2024 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 2024 The Metropolitan final field features a capacity line-up of potential Caulfield Cup horses with Kalapour carrying the 57kg topweight from the outside alley while trainer Chris Waller has paid up for eight runners five of which are in the field and three as emergencies.

The Metropolitan 2024 Tips

Favourite: #21 Unusual Legacy ($4.80 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Best Bet: #11 Future History ($9.50 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Best Roughie: #13 Etna Rosso ($11 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Our exclusive The Metropolitan 2024 betting tips and selections will be updated right here the week of the race and a full tipping preview available on the Neds Blog.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR COMPLETE 2024 THE METROPOLITAN PREVIEW & TIPS

the metropolitan 2024 RACE DAY

The Metropolitan 2024 takes place on Saturday, October 5, 2024 as part of Epsom Handicap Day 2024 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:

the metropolitan 2024 BARRIER DRAW

The official The Metropolitan 2024 barrier draw is conducted the Tuesday of race week and will be available in our above The Metropolitan Field section.

The Metropolitan Nominations 2024

Closing time for The Metropolitan 2024 nominations is 12PM on Monday the 9th of September, 2024.

Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Hcp Rating
1 28221x90x4 ADELAIDE RIVER (IRE) H 5 Kris Lees 105
2 1x12x33267 AGE OF SAIL (GB) G 6 Kris Lees 78
3 8x6128159x AHURIRI (NZ) M 4 Chris Waller 72
4 008x06212x ALEGRON G 6 Bjorn Baker
5 872x6442x8 ATHABASCAN (FR) G 6 John O’Shea & Tom Charlton 104
6 1x7x21112x BERKSHIRE BREEZE (IRE) G 6 Ciaron Maher
7 74x274313x BOIS D’ARGENT (GB) G 8 Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
8 1728x766x0 BRAYDEN STAR (GB) G 6 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
9 75x5356x81 BUCKAROO (GB) G 6 Chris Waller 110
10 7811×52 CAMPALDINO (NZ) G 4 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 69
11 70x468x858 CANBERRA LEGEND (IRE) G 5 Chris Waller 85
12 6x66228x61 CEOLWULF (NZ) G 4 Joseph Pride 104
13 1151x33x74 CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (IRE) G 6 Kris Lees 102
14 49621x00x8 CLEVELAND (IRE) H 7 Kris Lees 104
15 x25058x001 CONVENER (FR) G 6 Ciaron Maher
16 x1x3716211 DASHING DUCHESS (NZ) M 5 Symon Wilde 93
17 17x034021x DENY KNOWLEDGE (IRE) M 7 Anthony & Sam Freedman 105
18 06933×7552 DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) G 6 Ciaron Maher
19 090x0005x8 EL BODEGON (IRE) G 6 Chris Waller 101
20 11x211x1x1 ELIYASS (FR) G 6 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 108
21 40x871x315 ETNA ROSSO (IRE) G 5 Chris Waller 82
22 858x58610x FANCY MAN (IRE) G 7 Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
23 7375117×04 FIRST LIGHT (GB) G 7 Chris Waller 76
24 21x0570x07 FRANCESCO GUARDI (IRE) G 7 Chris Waller 104
25 130x0656x3 FUTURE HISTORY (GB) G 7 Ciaron Maher
26 x00x3150x3 GEAR UP (IRE) G 7 Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
27 246×785111 GOLDEN PATH (NZ) G 5 Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 104
28 86x2555x72 HINGED M 6 Chris Waller 106
29 666x01540x HUETOR (FR) G 8 Peter Snowden 109
30 11155×6 IMMEDIACY (NZ) G 4 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
31 325916×000 INTERPRETATION (IRE) G 7 Ciaron Maher
32 3x10x162x4 JENNILALA M 5 Ciaron Maher
33 1110x85x05 JUST FINE (IRE) G 7 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 105
34 310x0213x4 KALAPOUR (IRE) G 8 Kris Lees 110
35 113×356173 KAPAKIRI G 5 Chris Waller 76
36 x623452025 KUREDER (NZ) G 5 Chris Waller 72
37 1x2755x1x0 LAND LEGEND (FR) G 5 Chris Waller 98
38 22113×0713 LAUDING (NZ) G 5 Ciaron Maher 81
39 024×550482 LUNCIES (GB) G 8 Kris Lees 101
40 0x88520x23 MANZOICE G 5 Chris Waller 96
41 142×065101 MATUSALEM G 4 Chris Waller 76
42 533310×116 MEDATSU (NZ) G 4 Chris Waller 76
43 101x3568x9 MILITARY MISSION (IRE) G 7 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 107
44 4x1x9027x6 MISTERKIPCHOGE (NZ) G 4 Chris Waller 64
45 45x23622x4 MOSTLY CLOUDY (IRE) G 6 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
46 x1116x84x2 MURAMASA G 5 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
47 1x513x00x8 OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) H 7 Ciaron Maher
48 92311x07x0 PENNYWEKA (NZ) M 5 Ciaron Maher 107
49 x5x110x27x PLACE DU CARROUSEL (IRE) M 6 Anthony & Sam Freedman 110
50 9x28x4x8x1 POINT KING (IRE) G 6 Anthony & Sam Freedman
51 4x331891x0 POPTRONIC (GB) M 6 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 108
52 9791x18x4x POST IMPRESSIONIST (IRE) G 6 Anthony & Sam Freedman
53 211x4225x3 QUANTUM CAT (USA) G 5 Chris Waller 77
54 23x3x211x5 QUE TEMPESTA (IRE) G 6 Ben, Will & JD Hayes
55 6416x00x84 RAF ATTACK (NZ) G 4 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 85
56 12x51719x9 RATTLE AND HUM (IRE) G 5 Michael Freedman 74
57 21625×0031 REDSTONE WELL (IRE) G 6 Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald 98
58 319x513x2x ROYAL CHAMPION (IRE) G 7 Anthony & Sam Freedman
59 5x31123x8 SAINT GEORGE (GB) H 5 Ciaron Maher
60 305x11404x SERPENTINE (IRE) G 8 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
61 61605x483x SHAIYHAR (IRE) G 6 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 87
62 37x7291x65 SIR LUCAN (IRE) G 7 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 101
63 x510x41x0x STAR OF INDIA (IRE) G 6 Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
64 66×5114513 STRATHTAY (NZ) G 5 Chris Waller 86
65 150x9190x0 SUIZURO G 5 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
66 13x05580x4 SUNSETS G 4 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
67 2420×01222 TOURISTIC (GB) G 6 Peter Snowden 96
68 2211626×63 TRUST IN YOU (NZ) G 6 Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley
69 1x211x41x3 UNUSUAL LEGACY (NZ) G 5 Chris Waller 78
70 521x766x80 UP AND UNDER (FR) G 5 Chris Waller 76
71 115x8x9 WALTHAM (GB) G 5 Matthew Smith 74
72 111x068x63 WHISKY ON THE HILL (GB) G 5 Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson 69
73 20x11x611x WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) G 8 Anthony & Sam Freedman
74 525×761072 WYCLIF (GB) G 8 Ciaron Maher 92
75 21x0132x66 ZARDOZI M 4 James Cummings 104
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The Metropolitan Weights 2024

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, Tuesday the 16th of September, 2024. The official 2024 The Metropolitan weights will be available in our above The Metropolitan Field section. 

2024 The Metropolitan Topweight:

  • #1 Kalapour (57kg) – Scratched
  • #2 Military Mission (55.5kg)
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The Metropolitan Acceptances 2024

Acceptances will be declared before 9 AM on Tuesday the 1st of October, 2024. The official 2024 The Metropolitan acceptances will be available in our above The Metropolitan Field section. 

The Metropolitan jockeys 2024

Riders must be announced by 12 PM on Wednesday the 2nd of October, 2024. The official 2024 The Metropolitan jockeys will be available in our above The Metropolitan Field section. 

The Metropolitan Scratchings 2024

2024 The Metropolitan final scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Saturday, October 5th, 2024. 

  • #9 El Bodegon (17)
  • #12 Star Of India (6)
  • #16 Manzoice (16)
  • #17 Berkshire Breeze (15)

the metropolitan 2024 PRIZE MONEY

The total 2024 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 2024

The 2024 The Metropolitan race number is scheduled as Randwick Race 8 at 4:10pm (AEST) on Epsom Handicap Day, Saturday the 5th of October, 2024. There are ten races in total that day at Royal Randwick.

The Metropolitan 2024 Form Guide

The final form guide will be available the week of the race. You can check below for a link to our full 2024 The Metropolitan Form Guide following final acceptances. 

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2024 THE METROPOLITAN FORM GUIDE

the metropolitan LIVE 2024

You can watch or listen to the 2024 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. To view a complete list of past The Metropolitan winners from the race’s inauguration to the present – click here.

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

Year Winner Jockey Weight (kg) Time
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