2025 Metropolitan looks like a weak field

25 horses still stand

See It Again. Is he in a good space. Seems to have gone backwards since gelding
Montein not a MR 129 horse. Nice for the connections. Last win GR3 November 2023
Gimme a Prince never been further than 1600. Never won further than 1400. Last win June 2023
Dave The King Top horse , Mystery as to its current form.
Green With Envy another. Mystery as to its current form.Is it in need of Gelding?
Oriental Charm. Nice horse. poor Queens Plate run.
Royal Aussie. Top horse. Never won further than 1600m
Rascallion . 7 years old. Best form coing into the race. 4th attempt at the Met.
Atticus Finch. Nice Horse Poor queens plate run. 
Zapatillas. 6 years old has not won a race since may 2022. only been once over 2000 meters
Billy Bowlegs last win Jan 2023. erratic
Master Redoute stayer, not run since July 2024
Al Muthana way past best. poor form
Pacaya. Has many issues. 
Without Question Average horse that pops up from time to time. Last win May 2023
Future Swing Average horse. Consistent form. 
Litigation 6 years old 2 decent runs in the Cape. 
Baratheon 6 year old. Average horse. Nice for connections
Magic Verse Improving. Last run top drawer. 
Saartjie poor last run.
Red Palace top run last out. 





 

Sylvester wrote:

25 horses still stand

See It Again. Is he in a good space. Seems to have gone backwards since gelding
Montein not a MR 129 horse. Nice for the connections. Last win GR3 November 2023
Gimme a Prince never been further than 1600. Never won further than 1400. Last win June 2023
Dave The King Top horse , Mystery as to its current form.
Green With Envy another. Mystery as to its current form.Is it in need of Gelding?
Oriental Charm. Nice horse. poor Queens Plate run.
Royal Aussie. Top horse. Never won further than 1600m
Rascallion . 7 years old. Best form coing into the race. 4th attempt at the Met.
Atticus Finch. Nice Horse Poor queens plate run. 
Zapatillas. 6 years old has not won a race since may 2022. only been once over 2000 meters
Billy Bowlegs last win Jan 2023. erratic
Master Redoute stayer, not run since July 2024
Al Muthana way past best. poor form
Pacaya. Has many issues. 
Without Question Average horse that pops up from time to time. Last win May 2023
Future Swing Average horse. Consistent form. 
Litigation 6 years old 2 decent runs in the Cape. 
Baratheon 6 year old. Average horse. Nice for connections
Magic Verse Improving. Last run top drawer. 
Saartjie poor last run.
Red Palace top run last out. 
8 on 18 looks the right one ,but you correct generally very weak field .





 

I agree not that many that jumps out - let's take it by betting order -

Oriental Charm - might be forgiven for his last run as he did not get to the front and over the 2000 he will be there imo - 
Green With Envy - can't have him after his last run
Eight on Eighteen - on his last run behind One Stripe may have something in hand at the weights over these - but no one knows if he will stay the 2000 - if he does, I make him a big runner
See It Again - can't have him after his last run
Rascallion - I think a safe bet to run into the first 4 - should really place (or maybe win ?) against these - have the class and suited to the trip
Red Palace - not sure if she would go for the Majorca, but imo this is easier - and she did finish well in KZN over 2000 (beating Saartjie narrowly) - so if she runs, she could have a chance
Dave the King - surely better over shorter
Greaterix - unknown this trip 
Magic Verse - good run last time and must have as good a chance as Rascallion
Future Turn - imo better over further
Gimme a Prince - I think he would rather go for the Cape Flying
Montien - agree not a 129 - and I think he has something to find over 2000
Royal Aussie - unlikely to stay 2000
Atticus Finch - hard task at level weights imo
Litigation - at best over 1800
Silver Sanctuary - well beaten in the Paddock and more to do imo
Saartjie - at best perhaps a place chance, but well beaten in the Paddock
Baratheon - more to do and better further imo
Zapatillas - something of a dark horse at the odds - held on his last run, but could improve over 2000 - just not sure if he is better over shorter
Master Redoute - better further and has a lot to do at the weights imo
Pacaya - ran on well in the Premiers but seems better over 1800
Without Question - well held on the Premiers
Billy Bowlegs - has it all to do after a long break
Al Muhtana - I think a doubtful starter
 
So at this stage, I would perhaps triple float Rascallion, Oriental Charm and Magic Verse, with Red Palace (if she runs), Zapatillas and Eight on Eighteen - perhaps Saartjie ...  

Jockey arrangements will be interesting ....    

.....fillies have had an advantage in this event....and Red Palace is looking better than the older males and other range bound sorts....big chance.....

.....Red Palace imo is too short a bet for the Met in the AP as she may be pointed at the Majorca instead....if not ...the tote odds on Met day may be as good as what AP currently have on offer...in and out Saartjie could now be the girl to deliver and a bit of 50/1 should not hurt as much....wink wink

Would be surprised if one of Future Swing, Eight On Eighteen or Green With Envy didn't win the Met.

Justin Snaith will use one of Magic Verse, Pacaya or Without Question to set pace IMO.

Future Swing:
Always competitive.
Has had a good prep.
Unlucky with traffic in last two starts.
Trip will suit.

Eight On Eighteen:
Classy youngster.
Distance shouldn't be a problem.
This 3yo crop looks better than current bunch of hard knockers.

Green With Envy:
Ignore last run.
Looked undercooked and was given a soft ride.
Would be shorter if you overlook that.
Distance ideal.
Will be flying at them.

Richard surely has the pick of Future Swing and Eight On Eighteen.
Whoever he chooses will shorten.

Won't really look at anything else.
Will be in or out.


 

I agree not the best field for a MET.

I am willing to forgive Green with Envy his last run and IF he runs I make him the horse to beat.

Eight on Eighteen the right one from Snaith yard and I expect Fourie to ride this one.

Dark horse for me is Rascallion . Has to go into evrything.


 

Green with Envy and Red Palace accepted. Zackey on GWE and Lerena on RP
Litigation Muzi Yeni

Strydom booked for rides on the day but not yet for the Met.

Heathers Boy still listed as a nominee. Not correct in my opinion. MDK statement was injured out for a long time. or such.

I see Red Palace also accepted (for now) in the Majorca with Zackey up - so who knows .....

Eight on Eighteen

I'm not sure Eight On Eighteen is sure to run (but we never know with these okes) - was nominated in the Politician (and not in the MET) - and final supplementarty entries for the MET were on 6 Jan .....

Frodo wrote:

I'm not sure Eight On Eighteen is sure to run (but we never know with these okes) - was nominated in the Politician (and not in the MET) - and final supplementarty entries for the MET were on 6 Jan .....

Not sure why I thought Eight on Eighteen is not nominated for the MET - so ignore that stupid comment - but he is at this stage nominated for BOTH the Politician and the MET ... guess we need to wait for Acceptances .... and RIchard's rides ....