Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s Group 1  Randwick Metropolitan Hcp with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps – he has included the potential fora damp track in his thoughts. Good luck!
Randwick  R9 – $750k G1 Metropolitan Hcp (3YO+) 2400m
1. STOCKMAN (4) 4x0127x9643
T: Joe Pride /J: Sam Clipperton (56.5kg)
This bloke looks very hard to beat. Has slowly been getting his fitness levels up and has done so now with three Group races, latest 4th to Alegron in gr 3 Kingston Town over 2000m. Has run a very fast 2400m in the past. looks well placed.
2. LE DON DE VIE (3) x5054x1017
T: Ciaran Maher & David Eustace / Â J: James McDonald (56kg)
Is the one many think will be hard to beat. Has been up a while so he is very fit and more than capable at this trip. Carried 58.5kg to win 2400m Caloundra Cup two starts back. Is a solid stayer.
3. KUKERACHA (1) 7x61306x89
T: Chris Waller / J: Brenton Avdulla (55kg)
Is Gr 1 placed this trip and third up here. Loves this journey. Has the rails draw so sits in midfield smothered up. Might just spring an upset here.
4. ARAPAHO (11) 4127217123
T: Bjorn Baker / J: Rachel King (54.5kg)
Is ready to show up. Has been up a long time and travelled a fair bit but he is a quality stayer and is in here well at the weights. Just really only needs to find cover to be in this. Meets some of these better at the weights too which is a major help.
5. MANKAYAN (12) 2214×11215
T: Ciaran Maher & David Eustace / J: Jason Collett (54.5kg)
Such a good, honest and strong stayer. His form this campaign has been first rate with 3 wins from 5 starts and is super, super fit. Should be competitive. Rates highly.
6. NO COMPROMISE (5) 332510×536
T: Chris Waller / J: Tommy Berry (53.5kg)
Interesting galloper. Runs this trip out very well and loves the mud. Will be up on the speed and may take a lot of beating despite average runs of late. I suspect this bloke, because of the rain, will be a player.
7. DURSTON (8) 8x4x1x7011
T: Chris Waller /J: Kerrin McEvoy (53kg)
Another with high credentials following two Cup wins in a row. Just seems to get better as the trip increases and he likes it damp too. Weighted to win this.
8. SACRAMENTO (9) 60x6160x94
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Â J: Tim Clark (53kg)
No weight in comparison to what he normally lugs around so he no doubt charges to the front and tries to run them all ragged. Does not boast good heavy track form however. To counter that, he’s trained here.
9. Surefire (13) SCRATCHED
10. REALM OF FLOWERS (10) 251x006x03
T: Team Freedman / J: Reece Jones (51kg)
This is a good, tough stayer and she is in this up to her eyeballs. Has terrific wet track form and she is ready to peak for this. Can stay all day and should be dashing home with this light weight.
11. GROVE FERRY (14) 7635×89241
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott /J: Winona Costin (51kg)
Fascinating horse. Has raced himself into great form and is a genuine hope here for Winona. Can sit behind the pace which he may have to do here but is very fit and can stay all day. On the quick backup from stunning 2400m win last week in the Gr 3 Colin Stephen and drops 4kg.
12. CARIF (6) 7470×69962
T: Team Snowden / Â J: Andrew Adkins (51kg)
He is a gritty stayer and his 2nd last start to Durston in the Newcastle Cup was a very doled effort. Gets in here with postage stamp weight which will help but he rarely wins. So, place hope.
13. Francesco Guardi (15) SCRATCHED
14. CHALK STREAM (2) SCRATCHED
15. HAMERON (47) 1221×133
T: Chris Waller / J: Jay Ford (51kg)
Is a talented and lightly raced restricted grade galloper. Backing up from fair 3rd over 1900m last week in a BM 88 race. This may be too tough but he is on the rise. Watch the market.
