Chocante all go for Metropolitan handicap
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has warned punters not to lose faith in Chocante come Metropolitan time.
Kiwi-owned galloper Tavago has been allotted top weight of 58 kilograms for The Metropolitan (2400 metres) at Randwick on Saturday week.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained 2016 ATC Australian Derby winner ran seventh in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on Saturday at his first start since March.
The Chris Waller-trained and New Zealand-owned Who Shot Thebarman who finished fourth in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on Saturday is next in the weights on 57kg.
Chocante, along with Megablast (29th in order of entry with 51.5kg) are the New Zealand-trained runners in the A$750,000 Metropolitan nominations.
Chocante and another Nzowned nominee Antonio Giuseppe also trained by Waller, have been weighted on 54.5kg after finishing seventh and second respectively in the Kingston Town.
On the face of it, Chocante’s run was disappointing after he had finished an outstanding third behind Winx in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at his fresh-up run in Sydney.
But trainer Stephen Marsh believes it was ‘‘a race to forget’’.
‘‘He wasn’t ready to produce what he was asked to produce on Saturday,’’ Marsh said. Jockey Blake Shinn set Chocante alight early in the race and the gelding speared to the lead before wilting in the home straight.
‘‘He ran his 600 metre sectional from the 800 to the 200 in 34.2 seconds,’’ Marsh said.
‘‘It was exactly the same time he ran his last 600 when he won the Brisbane Cup.
‘‘He couldn’t sustain his run to the line which is quite understandable, the jockey made an error of judgement.
‘‘He bounced through the run well and had a trot on the treadmill on Monday and a quiet trot and canter at the track on Tuesday and he’s very well.’’
Marsh is confident the horse will be ready to produce his best in the Metropolitan with top jockey Corey Brown booked to ride.
Shinn was keen to retain the ride but was unable to make the weight.
Three chances sitting top of The Metropolitan betting at an equal $8 for the win with Ladbrokes are the Chris Waller-trained trio of Antonio Giuseppe, Libran and Life Less Ordinary while Chocante remains solid in the early market at $13. Top weight Tavago is rated at $21.
On the home front Marsh is happy with his two contenders heading into Saturday’s Group I Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings.
His mares Sofia Rosa and Thee Auld Floozie are primed for the $200,000 feature.
‘‘Sofia Rosa had a good hit-out this morning and went very well while Thee Auld Floozie will have her final piece of fast work tomorrow [Wednesday],’’ he said.
‘‘Both have gone the right way since the Tarzino Trophy [1400m] and will strip fitter this time.
‘‘The 1600 metres might still be a bit sharp for Sofia Rosa but second-up it should be ideal for The Auld Floozie.’’
Unbeaten Snitzel filly Shadow Dancer (Gold Trail Stakes), Sophie’s Choice (Gold Trail or 3YO sprint) and maiden full-brother to Volpe Veloce, Raposa Rapida will also represent the stable at the meeting.