Royal Supremacy ($7.50) has thrust himself onto a possible Melbourne Cup path after a tough victory in the Group 1 $750,000 Metropolitan at Randwick.

In a stirring finish, the five-year-old gelding held out race favourite Soul Of Spain ($4.80F) by three-quarters of a length, with stablemate Juja Kibo ($19) a short neck away in third on the seven-day back-up.

Guided by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan, the Make Believe gelding may give his rider a second crack at the two miles, with trainer Ciaron Maher hinting that’s the logical progression.

“He just gets better with each run,” Maher said.

“He used to be a little bit aggressive in his races but with each race he’s starting to relax a little bit better.

“That’s what I said to Robbie, it’s just about getting the first half right and hopefully the second half will take care of itself.

“He’ll probably go to the Melbourne Cup I would imagine. He did a mile and a half quite well, so we’ll see if he can do two.”

Dolan—known to many from his stint on The Voice—detailed the challenge of wasting to a featherweight.

“It’s tough getting to 50kg when you’re nearly 30 years old,” Dolan said.

“It wasn’t easy especially when you’re all over the place singing like I am.”

“I’m pretty sure the owners rang and said if I win I have to sing for them, so I might have signed up for a bit more.”

With his Melbourne Cup-winning mount Knight’s Choice sidelined from a title defence due to a strangles outbreak, Dolan welcomed the chance at another tilt.

“It’s funny how things work out. That little horse (Knight’s Choice) owes us nothing and his welfare is number one and he’ll be fighting fit going for it next year.”

Royal Supremacy is currently a $26 chance in futures markets for the Melbourne Cup.

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