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.
The Metropolitan 2026 Results
The official 2026 The Metropolitan results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
- #5 Juja Kibo
- #7 Aethelwulf
- #1 The Euphrates
The 2026 The Metropolitan results showcased the staying prowess of Juja Kibo ($5.50), who delivered a dominant performance to claim the Group 2 feature over 2400m at Randwick and emerge as a genuine Spring Cups contender. Trained by Ciaron Maher and expertly ridden by Sam Clipperton, the son of Belardo settled perfectly before surging clear to defeat race favourite Aethelwulf by 1¾ lengths, with The Euphrates finishing third. Having placed in the race 12 months earlier, Juja Kibo returned a stronger and more mature stayer, relishing the rain-affected conditions to record his biggest Australian victory. The impressive win sparked significant moves in both Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup markets, with the progressive import enhancing his credentials as one of the leading long-distance prospects of the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival. Juja Kibo firmed from $51 into $15 in futures Caulfield Cup 2025 betting at Neds and $51 into $26 in the latest all-in Melbourne Cup odds online.
2026 The Metropolitan Race Replay
2026 The Metropolitan Odds & Finishing Order
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 handicap.
The latest The Metropolitan odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.
The Metropolitan 2026 Results
| 5. Juja Kibo (4) J: Sam Clipperton 56.5kg 39×32 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 7. Aethelwulf (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 51111 T: Matthew Smith | ||
| 1. The Euphrates (1) J: Tim Clark 59kg 17×41 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 4. Green Spaces (7) J: Rachel King 56.5kg 1×860 T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 10. Athabascan (6) J: Jason Collett 54kg 545×0 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | ||
| 8. Thebudgiesmugla (9) J: Dylan Gibbons 55kg 61144 T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 2. Soul Of Spain (5) J: James McDonald 58.5kg 2×683 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 3. Deakin (2) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 56.5kg x5x38 T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | ||
| 13. Steel Blaze (8) J: Reece Jones 53kg 89362 T: Brett Lazzarini |
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.
| 7. Aethelwulf (3) J: Zac Lloyd 55kg 51111 T: Matthew Smith |
| 5. Juja Kibo (4) J: Sam Clipperton 56.5kg 39×32 T: Ciaron Maher |
| 8. Thebudgiesmugla (9) J: Dylan Gibbons 55kg 61144 T: Bjorn Baker |
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 held Group 1 status from 1979 – 2025 before being downgraded to a Group 2 race ahead of the 2026 edition.
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 2
- Operator: Australian Turf Club
- Prize Purse: $750,000
- Inaugural Race: 1863
- 2026 The Metropolitan Winner: Juja Kibo
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
- Join up at neds
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out the form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options
- 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 2008-2026 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 include Newcastle Gold Cup champ Aethelwulf on a hot four-race winning streak, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Group 2 Kingston Town Stakes winning import The Euphrates and Chris Waller’s Sydney Cup runner-up from the autumn Soul Of Spain.
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 field features a smart line-up of potential Spring Cups-bound stayers with Aethelwulf the hot favourite coming off four straight wins for Matthew Smith and jockey Zac Lloyd.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. The Euphrates
J: Tim Clark
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
417×41 | G | 1 | 59kg | |
|
2. Soul Of Spain
J: James McDonald
T: Chris Waller |
62×683 | G | 5 | 58.5kg | |
|
3. Deakin
J: Kerrin Mcevoy
T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes |
8x5x38 | G | 2 | 56.5kg | |
|
4. Green Spaces
J: Rachel King
T: Bjorn Baker |
21×860 | H | 7 | 56.5kg | |
|
5. Juja Kibo
J: Sam Clipperton
T: Ciaron Maher |
339×32 | G | 4 | 56.5kg | |
| 6. Valiant King (1) Scratched: | |||||
|
7. Aethelwulf
J: Zac Lloyd
T: Matthew Smith |
151111 | G | 3 | 55kg | |
|
8. Thebudgiesmugla
J: Dylan Gibbons
T: Bjorn Baker |
161144 | G | 9 | 55kg | |
| 9. Piggyback (7) Scratched: | |||||
|
10. Athabascan
J: Jason Collett
T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton |
8545×0 | G | 6 | 54kg | |
| 11. Mr Monaco (12) Scratched: | |||||
| 12. Pinhole (13) Scratched: | |||||
|
13. Steel Blaze
J: Reece Jones
T: Brett Lazzarini |
089362 | G | 8 | 53kg | |
The Metropolitan 2026 Race Day
The Metropolitan 2026 takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as part of Epsom Handicap Day 2026 which features plenty of Group status 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.
2026 The Metropolitan nominations are now out featuring 22 spring stayers led in all-in betting by the Matthew Smith-trained Newcastle Gold Cup winner Aethelwulf chasing a fifth win on the trot and progressive Waterhouse/Bott import The Euphrates coming off a Group 2 Kingston Town Stakes victory.
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:
- No. 1 The Euphrates (59kg)
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.
- No. 6 Valiant King (1)
- No. 9 Piggyback (7)
- No. 11 Mr Monaco (12)
- No. 12 Pinhole (13)
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 scheduled as Randwick Race 7 at 3:35pm (AEST) on 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 | Juja Kibo | S. Clipperton | 56.5 | 2:32.04 |
| 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 |