The 2025 The Metropolitan ran on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and was won by Ciaron Maher's Melbourne Cup hopeful Royal Supremacy ($7.50)!
| 13. Royal Supremacy (9) J: Robbie Dolan 50kg 00112T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 9. Soul Of Spain (10) J: Zac Lloyd 50.5kg 1x111T: Chris Waller | ||
| 18. Juja Kibo (14) J: Reece Jones 50kg 11612T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 3. More Felons (18) J: Tommy Berry 55kg 12x09T: Chris Waller | ||
| 1. Vauban (7) J: Tim Clark 58.5kg 30x36T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 17. Travolta (1) J: Ben Thompson 50kg 12123T: Chris Waller | ||
| 7. Birdman (16) J: Kerrin McEvoy 51.5kg 9x251T: Chris Waller | ||
| 11. Piggyback (13) J: Andrew Adkins 50kg 43411T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 14. Wyclif (6) J: Louise Day 50kg 00564T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 16. Flying Bandit (5) J: Brock Ryan 50kg 17x64T: Kerry Parker | ||
| 15. Don Diego De Vega (11) J: Alysha Collett 50kg 541x6T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | ||
| 10. Etna Rosso (2) J: Jay Ford 50kg 22x03T: Chris Waller | ||
| 12. Glory Daze (4) J: Anna Roper 50kg 13323T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 6. Athabascan (3) J: Dylan Gibbons 52kg 59x00T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | ||
| 2. Arapaho (12) J: Rachel King 58kg 1x364T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 8. Son Of Sun (15) J: Molly Bourke 51kg 98x18T: Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | ||
| 19. Sun 'N' Sand (17) J: Winona Costin 50kg x7054T: B Joseph & P & M Jones | ||
| 4. Changingoftheguard (8) J: Ethan Brown 54.5kg 2x821T: Kris Lees |
The Metropolitan Info
- 2025 The Metropolitan Date: Saturday the 4th of October 2025
- Track Location: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Distance: 2,400m
- Conditions: Handicap; 3YOs & Upwards
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (AUD): $750,000
- First Run: 1863
- Reigning The Metropolitan Winner: Royal Supremacy (2025)
Looking for the latest The Metropolitan betting odds, insider racing tips and form for the Randwick Group 1? The TAB NZ have all the best betting guides and statistics to make informed bets on The Metropolitan race this October!
The Group 1 The Metropolitan is a crucial staying test for Australia’s top longer-distance racehorses as they prepare for the iconic horse racing majors over the spring down under including the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
To improve your chances of predicting the next The Metropolitan winner, access the latest The Metropolitan odds and tips online at the TAB NZ.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of spring contenders eyeing runs in events including the Caulfield Cup and even the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November down in Melbourne later in the carnival.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in Australia, our comprehensive The Metropolitan coverage has everything you need.
With The Metropolitan traditionally held one day prior to the hugely popular NRL Grand Final, it is a massive weekend of sporting action for fans to get in on with the TAB NZ.
Make your mark in the spring carnival! Back your champion in The Metropolitan this season with TAB NZ!
The Metropolitan Fast Facts
- Last mare to win The Metropolitan: Montefilia (2021)
- Last three-year-old to win The Metropolitan: Marvel Loch (1903)
- Last New Zealand-trained The Metropolitan winner: Victoria Smile (2002)
- Last multiple The Metropolitan: Hayai (1983-84)
- Notable Fact: The 1992 The Metropolitan winner Te Akau Nick handed the legendary Gai Waterhouse her first Group 1 success as a trainer
The Metropolitan betting takes place on the popular The Metropolitan horse race which is held at Randwick Racecourse on a Saturday in early October annually.
The Metropolitan odds are offered on the esteemed Sydney Spring Racing Carnival Group 1 event, and the field attracts a host of quality longer distance racehorses heading towards bigger and better features over the coming months.
The Group 1 The Metropolitan is one of Australia’s most popular horse races and has been run and won since 1863 when Regno became the inaugural champion.
It is one of the country’s leading mile-and-a-half handicaps close in popularity to the Caulfield Cup run a few weeks later over the same trip in Victoria.
The Metropolitan history shows the event was originally known as the Great Metropolitan Stakes (1863–1888).
It has undergone a number of name changes over the years and has been run as the:
- Great Metropolitan Stakes (1863-188),
- Metropolitan Stakes (1889-1897),
- Metropolitan Handicap (1898-1978), and most recently
- The Metropolitan (1979 – the present).
For one year in 1983 it took place at Warwick Farm Racecourse but all other editions of The Metropolitan have taken place at Randwick.
The Metropolitan holds a special place in racing history due a host of turf greats having won the race during their careers.
The Metropolitan is a 2400m event having been run at this distance consistently since 2001. It began as a testing two-mile event run over 3200m (1863–1891) and has gone between being a 2400m and 2600m since then.
Horses in The Metroplitan field must be aged at least three-years-old and the event is a standard handicap race.
It has held Group 1 status since 1979, the year Earthquake McGoon won.
The Metropolitan winner also gains a ballot exemption for the Group 1 A$5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) the following year back at Randwick in April.
The Metropolitan follows on from the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m), $7 million 7 Stakes (1600m), and Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) as the spring majors in Sydney.
Get the best Epsom Handicap Day racing odds for Sydney, racing stats, previews, form and insider tips on races like the meeting’s feature Group 1 races now at the TAB NZ!
Expert Tips on the 2025 The Metropolitan
Stay tuned for our expert tips and The Metropolitan betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature at Randwick.
2025 The Metropolitan Same Race Multi Selections ($41 at time of publish)
- Top 3 – No. 9 Soul Of Spain
- Top 4 – No. 4 Changingoftheguard
- Top 4 – No. 11 Piggyback
SOUL OF SPAIN (10) has surged to favouritism in what’s shaping as one of the most open editions of The Metrop in years, and it’s easy to see why punters are following the money on this flying Chris Waller-trained improver. The progressive five-year-old is chasing his fifth straight win, having dominated in Queensland with a three-length romp at Doomben over 2020m carrying 53kg, before stepping up to Group 3 level and claiming the Newcastle Gold Cup over 2300m with 54kg. With proven staying credentials from his European form over two miles and beyond, he now drops to just 50.5kg under the in-form Zac Lloyd, who retains the ride. Set to settle midfield, Soul Of Spain looks primed to outstay many of these late and is hard to fault despite stepping into Group 1 company for the first time.
CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (8) arrives in strong form following a confident lead-up win over this track and trip, where he carried 59kg to claim the Listed Tatt’s Cup by nearly a length. Dropping to a more favourable 54.5kg and presenting fit third-up, he looks well placed to build on that effort. Last spring, he ran second in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality behind First Light with 58kg, and his recent performances suggest he’s come back even better this prep. With Ethan Brown stepping in for James McDonald, who’s riding in Melbourne, this seasoned stayer should be right in the mix.
PIGGYBACK (13) may be a long shot to complete the hat-trick, but this Ciaron Maher-trained Trapeze Artist mare holds genuine Top 4 claims at value. Backing up quickly after a gritty win in the Colin Stephen over 2400m at Rosehill, she showed toughness to outstay her better-fancied stablemate Juja Kibo while carrying 55.5kg. Exempt from penalty, she drops to a featherweight 50kg for Saturday’s test, and if she can find a spot from the wide draw, she’s well placed to run a cheeky race and sneak into the placings.
The Metropolitan Tips
The Metropolitan tips on which horse will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the important Randwick 2400m race heats up.
The Metropolitan tips on what horse will win The Metropolitan this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at The Metropolitan race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in The Metropolitan field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key The Metropolitan trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in The Metropolitan field this year?
- The Metropolitan barrier statistics and where your The Metropolitan betting selections are drawn.
- The Metropolitan horses that have a good past record at the track.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning The Metropolitan race tip? The event itself takes approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds for the competing horses to run the 2,400m trip depending on track conditions.
The official The Metropolitan winner and winning The Metropolitan trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish The Metropolitan result.
What are the best The Metropolitan lead-up races to look at when placing a The Metropolitan bet?
Horses traditionally contest The Metropolitan off an earlier spring lead-up in a race like the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) held at Rosehill the Saturday prior which offers the winner a ballot exemption for The Metropolitan race. Other earlier lead-ups into The Metropolitan include the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) and Randwick’s Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).
The last horse to complete the Colin Stephen Quality – The Metropolitan double in the same year was Railings (2005).
The last horse to complete the Newcastle Gold Cup – The Metropolitan double in the same year was Glencadam Gold (2012).
The last horse to complete the Kingston Town Stakes – The Metropolitan double in the same year was Just Fine (2023).
Lower-Weighted Horses in The Metropolitan
Looking at the lower-weighted horses in The Metropolitan field is a key tip as no horse has carried more than 55.5kg to victory in the event since Opinion (56kg in 2014).
Sydney-Trained Horses in The Metropolitan
Betting on the Sydney-trained horses in the field is more and more popular as The Metropolitan tips favour the proven local hopes from stables around New South Wales.
Looking back over The Metropolitan history and statistics shows that the last Victorian-trained The Metropolitan winner was Mirage Dancer (2020).
The Metropolitan Tips for a Trifecta
The Metropolitan tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in The Metropolitan results.
The horse to finish on top of The Metropolitan trifecta is your The Metropolitan winner, the runner who outlasted all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing a The Metropolitan trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
A The Metropolitan trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on The Metropolitan to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your The Metropolitan trifecta bet is a risky bet as the favourites only have a fair strike-rate running in the money.
Key The Metropolitan Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s The Metropolitan by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for The Metropolitan. Our The Metropolitan betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. The Metropolitan race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from barriers 2-6 have historically shown a higher success rate in The Metropolitan.
Bet on the next The Metropolitan race now!
Past Epsom Handicap Results
Recent Epsom Handicap winners, jockeys, trainers, barriers, and weights carried to victory dating back to the year 2004 are detailed in the below table. Note, the event was not run in 2007 due to the equine influenza.
| Year | Winner – Age/Gender
Breeding |
Jockey | Weight (kgs) | Trainer/s | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE) 5G MAKE BELIEVE (GB) – ADELASIA (IRE) IFFRAAJ (GB) |
ROBBIE DOLAN | 50.0 | CIARON MAHER | 9 | |
| LAND LEGEND (FR) 4G GALILEO (IRE) – LANDIKUSIC (IRE) DANSILI (GB) |
R JONES | 51.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 6 | |
| JUST FINE (IRE) 5G SEA THE STARS (IRE) – BINT ALMATAR (USA) KINGMAMBO (USA) |
RACHEL KING | 50.0 | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | 2 | |
| NO COMPROMISE (NZ) 6G PINS (AUS) – BAGGY GREEN (AUS) GALILEO (IRE) |
TOMMY BERRY | 53.5 | CHRIS WALLER | 4 | |
| MONTEFILIA (AUS) 4M KERMADEC (NZ) – BANA WU (GB) SHIROCCO (GER) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 55.5 | DAVID PAYNE | 13 | |
| MIRAGE DANCER (GB) 6H FRANKEL (GB) – HEAT HAZE (GB) GREEN DESERT (USA) |
N RAWILLER | 55.5 | TRENT BUSUTTIN & NATALIE YOUNG | 3 | |
| COME PLAY WITH ME (AUS) 5G BLACKFRIARS (AUS) – RUSSIAN PLAYMATE (AUS) DR JOHNSON (USA) |
B AVDULLA | 54.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 3 | |
| PATRICK ERIN (NZ) 7G GALLANT GURU (AUS) – MEGA BABE (NZ) PERSONAL ESCORT (USA) |
C W BROWN | 51.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 4 | |
| FOUNDRY (IRE) 7G GALILEO (IRE) – SHARP LISA (USA) DIXIELAND BAND (USA) |
MICHAEL DEE | 50.5 | ROBERT HICKMOTT | 8 | |
| SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (IRE) 7G SIR PERCY (GB) – ATHENE (IRE) ROUSILLON (USA) |
BLAKE SPRIGGS | 54.0 | JOHN P THOMPSON | 6 | |
| MAGIC HURRICANE (IRE) 5G HURRICANE RUN (IRE) – CLOSE REGARDS (IRE) DANEHILL (USA) |
JAMES MCDONALD | 55.5 | JOHN O’SHEA | 1 | |
| OPINION (IRE) 5G OASIS DREAM (GB) – KILTUBBER (IRE) SADLER’S WELLS (USA) |
T ANGLAND | 56.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 14 | |
| SEVILLE (GER) 5H GALILEO (IRE) – SILVERSKAYA (USA) SILVER HAWK (USA) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 55.5 | ROBERT HICKMOTT | 8 | |
| GLENCADAM GOLD (IRE) 4G REFUSE TO BEND (IRE) – SANDRELLA (IRE) DARSHAAN (GB) |
TOMMY BERRY | 53.0 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 4 | |
| THE VERMINATOR (AUS) 5G JEUNE (GB) – FRAAR SIDE (AUS) FRAAR (USA) |
C NEWITT | 52.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 16 | |
| HERCULIAN PRINCE (NZ) 5G YAMANIN VITAL (NZ) – SEA ISLAND (NZ) WOODMAN (USA) |
N RAWILLER | 55.5 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 6 | |
| SPEED GIFTED (GB) 5G MONTJEU (IRE) – GOOD STANDING (USA) DISTANT VIEW (USA) |
C W BROWN | 53.0 | D L FREEDMAN | 6 | |
| NEWPORT (AUS) 6G ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) – SIBELIENNE (GB) NISHAPOUR (FR) |
PETER WELLS | 52.0 | PAUL PERRY | 4 | |
| TAWQEET (USA) 4H KINGMAMBO (USA) – CAERLESS (IRE) CAERLEON (USA) |
D DUNN | 54.0 | D A HAYES | 9 | |
| RAILINGS (AUS) 4G ZABEEL (NZ) – LA SUFFRAGETTE (NZ) PALACE MUSIC (USA) |
D BEADMAN | 53.5 | JOHN HAWKES | 14 | |
| COUNTY TYRONE (AUS) 6G DANEWIN (AUS) – NICE CHOICE (GB) TOUCHING WOOD (USA) |
C W BROWN | 56.5 | KRIS LEES | 1 |
The Metropolitan Betting Info
The Metropolitan betting is open months ahead of the Group 1 Sydney, spring race down under at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination The Metropolitan betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures The Metropolitan odds online.
All-In The Metropolitan betting markets are then available following the official The Metropolitan nominations taken in early September, a month out from the classic mile showdown.
Betting on The Metropolitan field is available following final acceptances which close on the Tuesday of race week.
Betting on The Metropolitan often favours stayers coming off lead-up runs in the Colin Stephen Quality with this race proving a good form line to follow into The Metropolitan each spring as it offers a The Metrop ballot exemption to the winning horse.
The Metropolitan race betting traditionally focuses on horses aged between five and seven years-old who have an outstanding record in the event and those heading towards bigger and better events over the spring.
For the best online betting on The Metropolitan, consider tipping a horse to win both The Metropolitan and another Group 1 race over the carnival in a spring double!
The Metropolitan Field
The Metropolitan field attracts a line-up of top-line horses each season with runners coming from stables around Australia and New Zealand.
The Metropolitan Acceptance Dates
It is crucial to take note of when The Metropolitan field is out, what time The Metropolitan nominations close and the official The Metropolitan acceptance dates when placing a The Metropolitan bet online as horses may drop out of the race and bets may be cancelled.
The Metropolitan field features a capacity of 18 horses plus 4 emergencies.
See below for the official The Metropolitan field dates for 2025.
- 2025 The Metropolitan Nominations: Close on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 12:00pm (Sydney time)
- 2025 The Metropolitan Weights: Announced on Monday, September 15, 2025
- 2025 The Metropolitan Final Field: Revealed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 9:00am (Sydney time)
- 2025 The Metropolitan Barrier Draw: Conducted on Tuesday, September 30, 2025
The Metropolitan Odds
The Metropolitan odds and online betting tips on The Metropolitan are dominated by proven Group 1 horses, the older runners in the race and Sydney-trained gallopers who have a great record in the event heading towards the event third or fourth-up for the spring.
Where can I find The Metropolitan odds?
For the latest odds and updates on The Metropolitan, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
Where can you bet on The Metropolitan?
The best place to bet on this year’s The Metropolitan race is through the TAB NZ online.
How to Place a Bet on The Metropolitan
Want to know how to make a bet on The Metropolitan? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest The Metropolitan betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on The Metropolitan online.
You can place a The Metropolitan bet online anytime markets are live.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on The Metropolitan.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, The Metropolitan is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest The Metropolitan race field, joining a sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the spring carnival at Randwick Racecourse, The Metropolitan has it all!
This important spring lead-up race showcases Australia’s finest thoroughbreds and attracts attention from all over the country as the count down to the ‘Big 3’ spring majors heats up!
How to Bet on The Metropolitan in 2025?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out The Metropolitan betting guide, The Metropolitan form guide and our expert The Metropolitan tips.
4. Choose a The Metropolitan bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or The Metropolitan Trifecta. There are many more The Metropolitan betting options available so make sure to check out our The Metropolitan betting markets.
5. Select The Metropolitan horse you want to bet on from the early markets, The Metropolitan nominations or The Metropolitan field.
What are the popular betting markets for The Metropolitan?
When it comes to betting on The Metropolitan, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
What makes betting on The Metropolitan so popular?
The fact that The Metropolitan is one of the best staying races in Australia and one of the key events at the Sydney Carnival of Racing make it a must watch and must bet on horse racing event.
What makes The Metropolitan so special?
The Metropolitan serves as a great guide historically to other important spring races like the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne, so using The Metropolitan form for upcoming events is popular with punters. It is also one of Australia’s oldest staying races.
Australian and international racing fans, including those in New Zealand, tune into the thrilling 2400m spring event every season to see if their bets on The Metropolitan won!
The Metropolitan currently offers A$750,000 in prize money plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners from across the country and further abroad keen to add their names to the list of The Metropolitan champions.
How many horses can run in The Metropolitan?
The Metropolitan field has a bumper 18-starter limit plus 4 emergencies with final acceptances announced the Tuesday of race week.
The Metropolitan race tips centre on proven staying stars that have good lead-up form, horses with previous experience at the Randwick track, and the lower-weighted runners who have a dominant recent record in the race.
The Metropolitan is a handicap race open to horses aged three-years-old and above meaning the higher-rated a horse is, the more weight they will carry.
The highest-rated and weighted horse in The Metropolitan field dons the number one saddlecloth.
How many mares have won The Metropolitan in recent years?
Only one mare – Montefilia in 2021 – has won The Metropolitan horse race in Sydney since Coco Cobanna in 2000.
What age group has the best recent The Metropolitan record?
Five-year-olds have dominated The Metropolitan results in recent years with 10 saluting between 2000 and 2025, most recently Royal Supremacy (2025).
The oldest recent The Metropolitan winner was Patrick Erin who won in 2018 as a seven-year-old.
The youngest recent The Metropolitan winner was Montefilia who was as a four-year-old in 2021.
The youngest ever The Metropolitan winner was three-year-old Marvel Loch back in 1903.
Between 2000 and 2025 the breakdown of The Metropolitan winners by age is as follows:
- 3YOS – 0
- 4YOs – 5 (latest Montefilia in 2021)
- 5YOs – 10 (latest Royal Supremacy in 2025)
- 6YOs – 7 (latest Just Fine in 2023)
- 7YOs – 3 (latest Patrick Erin in 2018)
The Metropolitan Prize Money
The Metropolitan prize money may not compare to the stakes on offer in events like the A$20 million The Everest and A$10 million The Golden Eagle which are both held in Sydney over the spring, but it remains a highlight of the Australian racing calendar.
The Metropolitan prize money is set at A$750,000 in total stakes allocated between first to tenth place.
How much does The Metropolitan winner get? The winning The Metropolitan horse receives a total of A$430,000 in prize money.
See below for the official breakdown of The Metropolitan prizes on offer from The Metropolitan winner to the tenth horse to cross the finish line in the official The Metropolitan results.
- First: A$430,000
- Second: A$141,000
- Third: A$71,500
- Fourth: A$33,250
- Fifth: A$18,000
- Sixth: A$7,500
- Seventh: A$7,500
- Eighth: A$7,500
- Ninth: A1$7,500
- Tenth: A$7,500
Conducted by the Australian Turf Club (ATC), The Metropolitan is a mid-carnival feature race at the esteemed Royal Randwick track over the all-important Sydney Spring Carnival.
The Metropolitan has been won by a host of turf greats including a number of reigning or subsequent Caulfield Cup winners.
How many international horses have won The Metropolitan?
None. So far, a horse trained outside of Australia or New Zealand has not won The Metropolitan with most Northern Hemisphere raiders opting to target the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup races later in the spring for bigger prize money.
How many horses have won The Metropolitan more than once?
Five horses have won multiple editions of the race with Murray Stream (1945 and 1947) and Cagou (1913 and 1917) doing so on non-consecutive years.
Multiple The Metropolitan Champions
Hayai (1983-84), Tails (1969-70), Murray Stream (1945 & 1947), Cagou (1913 & 1917), and Mooltan (1907-08).
The Metropolitan Race Records
What was the fastest The Metropolitan winning time? Just Fine won The Metropolitan in 2023 in a record time of 2 minutes 26:11 seconds over the 2400m.
What races will runners out of The Metropolitan target in the spring?
Following a run in The Metropolitan key spring targets for the top contenders include the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Four horses have completed The Metropolitan – Caulfield Cup double in the same year most recently Tawqeet (2006).
Five horses have completed The Metropolitan – Melbourne Cup double in the same year but not since Macdougal (1959).
What Time Does The Metropolitan Start?
The Metropolitan start time is traditionally scheduled between 4:30pm and 5:00pm (local time).
The Metropolitan Barriers
The Metropolitan barrier draw and allocated The Metropolitan gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
When is The Metropolitan barrier draw?
The Metropolitan barrier draw is conducted on the same day as final acceptances close which is the Tuesday of race week around 9:00am local Sydney time.
Barriers have historically affected The Metropolitan results with the distance and make-up of the course best suited to horses drawn between barriers 2 and 6.
Barrier 9 is the most recent The Metropolitan winning barrier with Royal Supremacy in 2025.
Barrier 3 is the latest The Metropolitan barrier to produce back-to-back winners with Come Play With Me (2019) and Mirage Dancer (2020).
Seven The Metropolitan winners from 2000-2025 jumped from double-digit gates most recently Montefilia (barrier 13 in 2021).
Barrier 16 is the widest barrier to produce a The Metropolitan winner between 2000 and 2025 with The Verminator the latest to salute from that gate in 2011.
What is the most successful recent The Metropolitan barrier draw?
Barriers 4 and 6 have both produced four The Metropolitan winners between 2000 and 2025 most recently No Compromise (barrier 4 in 2022) and Land Legend (barrier 6 in 2024).
Breakdown of winning The Metropolitan barriers between 2000-25:
- Barrier 1 – 2 (latest Magic Hurricane in 2015)
- Barrier 2 – 1 (latest Just Fine in 2023)
- Barrier 3 – 2 (latest Mirage Dancer in 2020)
- Barrier 4 – 4 (latest No Compromise in 2022)
- Barrier 5 – 0
- Barrier 6 – 4 (latest Land Legend in 2024)
- Barrier 7 – 0
- Barrier 8 – 2 (latest Foundry in 2017)
- Barrier 9 – 3 (latest Royal Supremacy in 2025)
- Barrier 10 – 0
- Barrier 11 – 0
- Barrier 12 – 1 (latest Coco Cobanna in 2000)
- Barrier 13 – 2 (latest Montefilia in 2021)
- Barrier 14 – 2 (latest Opinion in 2014)
- Barrier 15 – 1 (latest Bedouin in 2003)
- Barrier 16 – 1 (latest The Verminator in 2011)
The Metropolitan Betting Favourites
Favourites in The Metropolitan betting are those horses that jump at the shortest The Metropolitan odds.
Last The Metropolitan favourite to win: Just Fine ($1.75 in 2023)
Last odds-on The Metropolitan favourite to win: Just Fine ($1.75 in 2023)
Last The Metropolitan favourite to finish worse than third: Stampede (4th in 2019)
The last The Metropolitan favourite to finish worse than third and miss out on a spot in The Metropolitan trifecta was Stempede who started at $5 before running fourth to Come Play With Me ($8.50) in 2019.
The Metropolitan Form
We offer a complete The Metropolitan form guide and expert analysis on every horse in The Metropolitan field in addition to insider The Metropolitan racing tips and betting odds.
Our The Metropolitan form guides include:
- The Metropolitan race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all horses in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in The Metropolitan or you are an expert The Metropolitan tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on The Metropolitan.
How to Read The Metropolitan Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s The Metropolitan form guide:
Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in The Metropolitan race.
Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to The Metropolitan as this can impact performance.
The Metropolitan Day Betting
The Metropolitan Day betting is dominated by online bets on the day’s three Group 1 races, are there are also a host of exciting support races that the TAB NZ offer top Randwick racing odds on.
The Metropolitan is one of three Group 1 events on the Epsom Handicap Day card making for a huge day of spring racing and punting in Sydney! The other Group status races to check out our insider Sydney racing tips for include the:
- Group 1 A$1,500,000 Epsom Handicap (1600m),
- Group 1 A$750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m),
- Group 2 A$1,000,000 Premiere Stakes (1200m),
- Group 3 A$250,000 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), and the
- Group 3 A$250,000 Breeders’ Plate (1000m).
The Metropolitan Results
The Metropolitan results are known when the event takes place on a Saturday in early October.
You can bet on The Metropolitan race results weeks ahead of race day with our futures The Metropolitan markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on The Metropolitan results entails picking The Metropolitan winning horse and we can help you place an informed bet on The Metropolitan with our The Metropolitan tips and form guide.
Other The Metropolitan results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete The Metropolitan finishing order shows what position every horse in the traditional 18-horse field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in The Metropolitan results!
The Metropolitan exotic results show how all the exotic The Metropolitan bet types resulted like The Metropolitan Quinella, The Metropolitan Exacta, The Metropolitan Trifecta, and The Metropolitan First Four.
The Metropolitan Jockeys
Securing a ride in The Metropolitan field is a highly sought-after achievement for jockeys around Australia and New Zealand. Winning this important spring race is a nice campaign goal for many of Australasia’s top riders looking to secure a Group 1 trophy during the carnival.
What jockeys are riding in The Metropolitan field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official The Metropolitan jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Robbie Dolan is the latest The Metropolitan winning jockey having ridden Royal Supremacy to victory in 2025.
Who is the most successful recent The Metropolitan jockey? Between the years 2000 and 2025 three jockeys have ridden two The Metropolitan winners to victory with Hugh Bowman on Seville (2013) and Montefilia (2021); Nash Rawiller on Herculian Prince (2010) and Mirage Dancer (2020), and Tommy Berry on Glencadam Gold (2012) and No Compromise (2022).
Rachel King was the latest female jockey to win The Metropolitan aboard Just Fine in 2023. Kathy O’Hara also won that year’s Epsom Handicap on Rediener. It was the first time in Australian racing history that two female riders won Group 1 races on the same race card.
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of The Metropolitan horses this spring.
The Metropolitan Trainers
Gai Waterhouse is the most successful recent The Metropolitan trainer having prepared nine winners most recently in 2023 with Just Fine in partnership with Adrian Bott.
Ciaron Maher is the latest The Metropolitan winning trainers having prepared Royal Supremacy in 2025.
The Metropolitan Winners
Notable The Metropolitan winners throughout history include:
Tim Whiffler (1867): Champion stayer who went on to win that year’s Melbourne Cup as ‘Tim Whiffler Sydney’ with the event also featuring a second horse by the same name they dubbed ‘Tim Whiffler Melbourne’ to differentiate the two!
Kennaquhair (1918): Classy chestnut trained by Bill Stringer, Kennaquhair was that year’s Sydney Cup champion in record time and won the Metrop before a second in the Melbourne Cup results.
Beau Vite (1940): Kiwi-bred champion and Australian Racing Hall of Famer who won 31 wins between the ages of two and five including two Cox Plates and the 1940 Auckland Cup.
Delta (1951): Ridden many times throughout his career by ace hoop Neville Sellwood this super galloper won the 1949 VRC Derby as a juvenile before a huge career highlighted by victories in races including the Cox Plate (1949) and the Melbourne Cup (1951).
Dalray (1952): Champion New Zealand-trained stayer who claimed that year’s The Metrop – Melbourne Cup double.
Ming Dynasty (1978): Bart Cummings-trained stayer who won the Australian Cup and Caulfield Cup twice throughout his career.
Railings (2005): This trans-Tasman star won the 2005 Caulfield Cup with John Hawkes before heading to the land of the long white cloud to train with master Kiwi horseman Roger James.
Bet on the next The Metropolitan winner with our comprehensive The Metropolitan form guide and expert The Metropolitan tips at the TAB NZ!
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