Waller dominates final field for The Metropolitan with seven runners
Trainer Chris Waller nearly makes up half the field for Saturday's The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick having seven of the 15 which accepted on Tuesday morning.
The champion horseman has taken out the race three times, including in back-to-back years with Patrick Erin (2018) and Come Play With Me (2019).
JOIN RACENET IQ IN A LIMITED TIME OFFER FOR $1
Classy grey Benaud wasn't included in the final acceptances on Tuesday morning after being accidentally treated with a prohibited substance.
Of Waller's seven horse team, $3.50 favourite Durston is set to launch from gate eight while handy import Surefire, an $8 chance with bookies, has drawn an outside barrier in 13 for his latest assignment.
Queensland Derby winner Kukeracha drew the inside gate while No Compromise will jump from barrier five.
Trainer Chris Waller accepted has seven of the 15 runners in The Metropolitan. Picture: Mark Evans – Getty Images
Other Waller-trained runners include Francesco Guardi, set to jump from the outside barrier in 15, while Chalk Stream (2) and Hameron (7) were handed favourable alleys.
Leading jockey James McDonald is set to pair with Victorian raider Le Don De Vie which has drawn well in barrier three.
The stable also accepted with progressive galloper Mankayan and the six-year-old will jump from gate 12.
JOIN RACENET IQ IN A LIMITED TIME OFFER FOR $1
Joe Pride's runner Stockman will carry the topweight of 56.5kg and is set to step from barrier four with Sam Clipperton aboard.
See below the final field and barrier draw for the 2022 The Metropolitan.
No. – Horse – Trainer – Jockey – Barrier – Weight
1 – Stockman – Joe Pride – Sam Clipperton – 4 – 56.5kg
2 – Le Don De Vie – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace – James McDonald – 3 – 56kg
3 – Kukeracha – Chris Waller – TBD – 1 – 55kg
4 – Arapaho – Bjorn Baker – Rachel King – 11 – 54.5kg
5 – Mankayan – Ciaron Maher and David Eustace – Jason Collett – 12 – 54.5kg
6 – No Compromise – Chris Waller – TBD – 5 – 53.5kg
7 – Durston – Chris Waller – Kerrin McEvoy – 8 – 53kg
8 – Sacramento – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott – Tim Clark – 9 – 53kg
9 – Surefire – Chris Waller – TBD – 13 – 52kg
10 – Realm Of Flowers – Anthony & Sam Freedman – Reece Jones – 10 – 51kg
11 – Grove Ferry – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott – Winona Costin – 14 – 51kg
12 – Carif – Peter & Paul Snowden – Andrew Adkins – 6 – 51kg
13 – Francesco Guardi – Chris Waller – TBD – 15 – 51kg
14 – Chalk Stream – Chris Waller – TBD – 2 – 51kg
15 – Hameron – Chris Waller – TBD – 7 – 51kg