2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon has been included in the nominations for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) that were released by Racing New South Wales today.
Green Moon is one of twelve Robert Hickmott-trained stayers included in the nominations for The Metropolitan. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
The imported stayer was one of 105 horses entered for the feature staying event of the 2013 Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, which will take place at Royal Randwick on October 5, and is the headline act for the Robert Hickmott-trained Macedon Lodge team.
Macedon Lodge has twelve stayers included in the nominations for the Metropolitan Handicap, with Green Moon joined by Excluded, Mourayan, Practiced, Ranked, Seville and Tanby as well as recently imported Hartani, Masked Marvel, Massiyn, Sea Moon and Thought Worthy.
Although Green Moon is expected to head towards the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) he has a chance to make racing history, if Team Williams decides to bring him to Sydney for The Metropolitan, by becoming the first horse to win The Metropolitan Handicap the year after winning the Melbourne Cup.
Gai Waterhouse is the most successful trainer in the history of The Metropolitan, having won the race on eight occasions, and has included thirteen horses in the nominations for the 2013 edition of the race including last year’s winner Glencadam Gold.
Glencadam Gold was expected to make his return to racing in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) in Sydney on Saturday but was scratched on the morning of the race due to an elevated temperature.
The Refuse To Bend gelding is heading towards the Melbourne Cup but may have the opportunity to become the first horse to win The Metropolitan in back-to-back years since Hayai in 1984.
Waterhouse’s remaining entrants are highlighted by imported stayer Michelangelo, last year’s third placegetter Reuben Percival and progressive galloper Travolta.
As he always is in Sydney Group 1 races Chris Waller is well represented in the nominations, with his eleven entrants headlined by Doomben Cup winner Beaten Up.
Beaten Up began his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes last weekend and battled on well in the final stages of the race to finish an encouraging fourth behind Veyron.
The Beat Hollow gelding is targeting the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) but, like last year’s winner Glencadam Gold, may contest the Metropolitan Handicap if he needs to secure his spot in the field for the $2.5 million race.
Queensland Derby winner Hawkspur, Melbourne Cup contender Kelinni, progressive stayer Moriarty, classy mare Royal Descent and Ranvet Stakes winner Foreteller have also been included in the nominations after resuming at Warwick Farm on Saturday while classy French import Bayrir is another potential Metropolitan Handicap contender.
Peter Moody-trained duo Viola Ici and Sneak A Peek, German import Why Not and Grafton Cup winner Mr O’Ceirin were other interesting The Metropolitan nominations.
