Demonstrating superior staying capabilities, the mare Foire De Trone outlasted her rivals at Royal Randwick on Saturday, potentially setting her sights on The Metropolitan.
Foire De Trone found the finish line stronger than favourite Le Troisir to win the Andrew Wisemantel Handicap over 2400 metres.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was having her sixth start of the winter season, and though the $750,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan is set to be run at Royal Randwick on October 3, the mare will be given an opportunity to contest the major spring staying race.
“We have been spacing her runs but it is a long way to the ‘Metrop’,” Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said. “But we will see how she comes through today’s race but her coat is still ‘wintry’ so there is improvement to come.”
Foire De Trone ($8.50), whose name honours the oldest and largest travelling fair in France, was piloted by Ethan Brown to a hard-fought victory by a long head over Le Troisir ($2.30 favourite). Golden Century ($17) finished third, a further two lengths behind.
Gerard-Dubord mentioned that Foire De Trone was coming off a win on a very heavy track at Sandown in her last start and she proved her exceptional stamina once again in defeating Le Troisir.
“She does hit a flat spot and Ethan was very mindful of that,” Gerard-Dubord commented. “That is why he got her moving a bit sooner rather than later and I think that was the difference between winning and losing.”
Earlier in the Randwick program, punters who backed the favourite were successful when Clear Proof took out the Midway Handicap (1200m).
Clear Proof ($3.60 favourite), despite missing the start and racing wide without cover for a significant portion of the race, still proved too strong for Isawyou ($3.90), winning by a half neck. Call Me Sassy ($11) finished third, just over a length behind.
Trainer John Thompson stated that Clear Proof had the ability but required gelding to become a more consistent racehorse.
“He has to be ridden up on pace, if he gets back in the field he loses concentration,” Thompson said. “The plan was to lead today but that went out the window when he missed the kick so he has done a good job to win.”
The mare’s staying effort was noted by those comparing the online bookmakers.
Consider the racing betting markets for The Metropolitan.