Metrop fifth for Great House
The Melbourne Cup dream is still alive for Great House after the Newcastle Cup winner finished a luckless fifth in the $750,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained Great House finished a length and three-quarters behind winner Montefilia, having been shuffled back during the run before unleashing his trademark finishing burst late.
The Highclere Australia import, who gained a ballot-exempt spot in The Metropolitan after his win in the Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m), was once again ridden by lightweight rider Jeff Penza.
“I probably ended a pair or two further back than I wanted,” Penza said. “It was just a case of the draw forcing our hand. He did settle a lot better today, far better than Newcastle, but the tempo was a bit better so that probably helped. But back where we were, he was happy to be there.
“I had to stoke him up on the turn, push out to get into the clear, and he loomed up like he was going to run third. I think he just peaked a little bit on his run late. Other than that, it was a top effort.”
While the $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) is a logical next step, Great House does remain some way down the order and may head to the $500,000 ATC St Leger (2600m) or the $1 million Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) instead for his next run.