The Metropolitan betting tips & strategy | October 1, 2022

Epsom Raceday at Randwick will kick off a five-week-long Spring Carnival this Saturday, and one of the main attractions will be the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m).

Online bookmakers have anointed a clear favourite in the $750,000 race, with the Chris Waller-trained Durston opening up at $3.60. On the second line of betting we have the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Le Don De Vie at $7.50, with Stockman and Grove Ferry on the third line of betting at $8.

The main pace influences will be the two Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained runners in Sacramento and Grove Ferry, with the likes of Le Don De Vie, Carif and Kukeracha taking sits behind them from good barriers. The horses that will be out the back will be a few of the Waller-trained contingent Hameron, Chalk Stream and Durston, all with very good finishing bursts to make this a very intriguing edition of The Metropolitan.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Metropolitan.

After recording two wins from four starts this preparation, including a win in the Listed Caloundra Cup over 2400m on July 2, we have Le Don De Vie on top here. This gelding ran well in the Premier Cup at Randwick back on August 20 over 2000m, where he ran on and looked like he wanted more distance, which is what he will get here. Another reason we have sided with Le Don De Vie is due to the jockey change. James McDonald has jumped off the race favourite, Durston, after winning twice on him at his previous two starts to jump onto Le Don De Vie. Getting arguably the best jockey in the country on board and going up in distance to the 2400m are both big ticks for this guy and he will be very hard to beat.

The race favourite and probably most in-form horse in this field is Durston, who comes off back-to-back wins in the Wyong and Newcastle Cups. Coming from Listed and Group 3 wins, this gelding has earned his way into The Metropolitan by gaining a 2kg penalty for those wins. However, going from Group 3 to Group 1 racing is a massive jump, and it may just be what beats this talented runner.

Realm Of Flowers is another strong chance in this race after getting in on the minimum weight of 51kg. The six-year-old mare is a proven stayer over the 2400m, recording a third-place finish in the City Tattersalls Cup on September 3 last start. Another of the Waller-trained runners that is a chance and could be more of an omen for some punters is Chalk Stream, who was previously owned by the late Her Majesty, The Queen.

2022 Metropolitan selections & best bets

• 1

  LE DON DE VIE

• 8

  DURSTON

• 3

  REALM OF FLOWERS

• 2

  CHALK STREAM

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