Chris Waller’s Group 1 winning mares Unforgotten and Egg Tart spearhead the leading stables nominations for the 2018 Group 1 $750,000 Heineken 3 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on September 29.

Unforgotten, above, is among trainer Chris Waller’s nominations for the 2018 The Metropolitan at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Unforgotten and Egg Tart are two of seventeen Waller trained gallopers that go to make up the 81 nominations for the Sydney Spring Carnival’s feature staying race.

Unforgotten was the winner of the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival and the four year old mare returned to the winner’s stall with a very impressive victory in the Group 2 $250,000 Bisley Workwear Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last Saturday.

Five year old mare Egg Tart has had patchy form since her three year old season and her only win since claiming her second Oaks trophy in the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Brisbane Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben during the 2017 Brisbane Winter Carnival was when she returned to Queensland this Winter to take out the Group 2 $200,000 Bradford Access Insulation P.J. O’Shea Stakes (2200m) at the Sunshine Coast.

Waller also has a host of internationals he has nominated for The Metropolitan and include European imports Abdon, Alward, Brimham Rocks, Carzoff, High Bridge, Jake’s Hill, Naval Warfare, One Foot In Heaven, Opposition and Raqeeq as well as Japanese import Satono Rasen.

The Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig also have a strong representation with Australian Cup winner Harlem heading their ten nominations.

The James Cummings trained Avilius has been posted as the early top pick at $4 with Ladbrokes.com.au and has had two runs for the stable for two wins since arriving from Europe.

The five year old carried the Godolphin royal blue colours to victory in a 1600m BenchMark 91 Handicap at Randwick on August 4 followed by a win in the Group 3 $150,000 Premier’s Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on August 25.

Cummings has also nominated Irish import Mr Moonlight Magic ($41) for the 2018 The Metropolitan.

The David Payne trained Ace High is also prominent in The Metropolitan early betting at $10 and the 2017 Victoria Derby winner showed that he is on the way back to his best form with a solid second to the Waller trained Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten in last Saturday’s Chelmsford Stakes.

The weights for 2018 The Metropolitan will be released on Monday September 10 and the final field will be declared on Tuesday September 25.

Early betting for the 2018 The Metropolitan at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Avilius, $6 Unforgotten, $8 Egg Tart, $10 Ace High, Sedanzer, $12 Grunt, Hiyaam, Libran, $16 Auvray, Big Duke, Harlem, Our Venice Beach, Sir Charles Road, Trap For Fools, $21 One Foot In Heaven, Opposition, The Lord Mayor, Ventura Storm, Wall Of Fire, $26 Satono Rasen, Abdon, All Too Soon, Ambitious, Brimham Rocks, Cabezza De Vaca, Carzoff, Dark Eyes, Harper’s Choice, Harrison, Midterm, Miss Admiration, Mr Garcia, Oregon’s Day, Single Gaze, Vengeur Masque, $34 or better the rest.

Nominations for the 2018 The Metropolitan (2400m)