The Metropolitan 2026 Betting Odds - Randwick Staying Market Takes Shape

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Mon. 21 Sep. 2026 10:24

Bets.com.au Staff 21 Sep. 2026

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Aethelwulf favourite at $2.80 after Newcastle Gold Cup win
The Euphrates, Juja Kibo, and Soul Of Spain key challengers after strong Kingston Town Stakes runs
The Metropolitan remains a major staying event in Sydney's carnival, now run at Group 2 level

Aethelwulf heads The Metropolitan market. (Getty)

The 2026 The Metropolitan takes centre stage at Randwick on Saturday, October 3, with the Group 2 handicap over 2400m bringing together several in-form stayers ahead of the major spring features.

The Metropolitan 2026 Betting Odds
The Metropolitan Handicap

Aethelwulf heads betting at $2.80 with Ladbrokes after extending his rise through the staying ranks with victory in the Newcastle Gold Cup over 2300m.

The Matt Smith-trained gelding has continued to progress through his preparation and now steps to 2400m, with The Metropolitan providing another important test of his spring credentials.

The Euphrates is next at $4 after producing a strong staying performance to win the Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m at Randwick on September 19.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained import was having just his second run back after almost two years away from racing, with the stable confirming The Metropolitan as his next target following that victory.

Juja Kibo sits on the third line at $8 after finishing second to The Euphrates in the Kingston Town Stakes, continuing a consistent preparation as he builds towards the 2400m feature.

The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer also brings previous Metropolitan experience into the race and should again appreciate the rise in distance.

Soul Of Spain is next at $9 after finishing third in the Kingston Town Stakes, where he continued his progression towards the longer staying races.

The Chris Waller-trained six-year-old now steps to 2400m, with his preparation suggesting he is building towards his preferred distance range.

With Aethelwulf coming through the Newcastle Gold Cup and The Euphrates, Juja Kibo and Soul Of Spain all emerging from the Kingston Town Stakes, the leading end of The Metropolitan market now has a clear set of form lines heading towards Randwick.

The Metropolitan 2026 Betting Odds

Horse	Win
Aethelwulf	$2.80
The Euphrates	$4.00
Juja Kibo	$8.00
Soul Of Spain	$9.00
Starzintheireyes	$13.00
Green Spaces	$15.00
Piggyback	$15.00
So You Are	$15.00
Travolta	$15.00
Wootton Verni	$15.00
Matusalem	$17.00
Thebudgiesmugla	$19.00
Others	$26.00+

Odds from Ladbrokes & correct on 21/09/2026.

The Metropolitan Handicap

Run over 2400m at Royal Randwick, The Metropolitan has long been one of the key staying features of the Sydney Spring Carnival and regularly attracts horses progressing towards the major Cups later in the spring.

First contested in 1863, the race is one of Australia’s oldest staying handicaps and has built a long history as an important form reference for races such as the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

The Metropolitan was run at Group 1 level for many years, but was downgraded to Group 2 status for the 2026 season, with Racing NSW listing this year’s edition as a $750,000 Group 2 handicap over 2400m.

Despite the classification change, the race still carries significant historical importance, with past winners including several stayers who later featured prominently in the major spring Cups.

The honour roll stretches back more than 160 years, underlining the race’s place as one of the traditional staying events on the Australian calendar.

The most recent winners are Just Fine in 2023, Land Legend in 2024 and Royal Supremacy, who claimed the 2025 edition at Randwick.