Newcastle Gold Cup winner Carzoff has been sent to the paddock for a spell and is out of contention for the 2018 Group 1 $750,000 Heineken 3 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on September 29.
Carzoff, above in black and white colours, has been withdrawn from the 2018 The Metropolitan at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Chris Waller trained Carzoff ran into calculations for The Metropolitan with a tough grinding win in the Group 3 $200,000 Sharp Electronics Group Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) at Newcastle on September 14.
Carzoff earned a 1.5kg penalty for The Metropolitan for his win in the Newcastle Gold Cup but his Spring Carnival campaign has come to halt with Waller deciding to send the French import to the paddock and his nomination has been withdrawn for the feature Group 1 staying race of the 2018 Sydney Spring Carnival.
Racing New South Wales released the following statement verifying Carzoff’s withdrawal from The Metropolitan.
“The Chris Waller stable advised Racing NSW Stewards this morning that CARZOFF has been spelled following its win in the Newcastle Cup and, accordingly, its nomination for The Metropolitan to be conducted at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 29 September 2018 has been withdrawn.”
Zarzoff completed a Provincial Cups double with his win in the Newcastle Gold Cup after winning the Listed $160,000 Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) at his previous start.
Stable representative Liam Prior was pleased with the way Carzoff worked to the line under the guidance of Kerrin McEvoy to win the Newcastle Gold Cup.
“He really had to grind out that win but was very well ridden by Kerrin, a nice patient ride, got the splits at the right time and at the end it was a very satisfying victory,” Prior said.
“He travelled sweetly into the bend and once he got into that clear room he burst through and was quiet impressive today at the 2300m which he hasn’t done before (In Australia).
Carzoff is the second high profile candidate to be announced a non-runner in The Metropolitan after trainer James Cummings had a change of plans for Avilius who will now be sent to Melbourne to try to qualify for a spot in the 2018 Group 1 $7.3m Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 6.
The Waller trained Brimham Rocks has been catapulted to the top of The Metropolitan market order at Ladbrokes.com.au at $5.50 ahead of his stablemate Libran at $7.50 and the Darren Weir trained Big Duke at $9.
Brimham Rocks has been placed at his last three starts, his latest a third in the Group 3 $160,000 The Agency Real Estate Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 15.
Early betting for the 2018 The Metropolitan at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5.50 Brimham Rocks, $7.50 Libran, $9 Big Duke, $10 Patrick Erin, $11 Auvray, High Bridge, $12 Wall Of Fire, $15 Trap For Fools, $16 Our Venice Beach, Sedanzer, Sir Charles Road, The Lord Mayor, $21 Alward, Hush Writer, $26 or better the rest.
