The Metropolitan 2017 is the major staying race taking place at Randwick Racecourse on Saturday and below are our insider betting tips and latest Group 1 odds on the classic.

Big Duke is the Races.com.au tip to win The Metropolitan 2017 at Randwick this Saturday in Sydney. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Due to run as Epsom Handicap Day Race 8 at 4:45pm (AEST), the Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have over half the remaining 11 runners under $10 for the win.

The same two horses that have been battling it out for top spot in The Metropolitan odds all week remain equal $5 favourites with the Chris Waller-trained duo Libran and Antonio Giuseppe.

After a lead-up win in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at the track a fortnight back, Lawman seven-year-old Libran is out to go back-to-back with an elite level success here.

He will easily run out a strong mile and a half boasting three wins from five starts at the 2400m, but does carry the equal 57kg top weight.

Antonio Giuseppe is considered the lightweight danger coming off a second in the same lead-up race, the five-year-old son of Shocking in on just 54.5kg this weekend with barrier four and Brazilian hoop Joao Moreira coming on for the ride.

Earlier in the week we published a complete The Metropolitan 2017 Form Guide & Betting History, our below tips based on the facts and status uncovered there.

1^st

#5 Big Duke ($6)

Chris Waller is dominating the markets, as expected, but think the value in this year’s The Metropolitan lies in the Darren Weir-trained Big Duke. The six-year-old loves the 2400m (3-2-1-0) and will relish getting back up to the distance. He’s on the quick back-up after a failed run in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) under a big weight last Saturday, but can atone stepping up in metres and dropping from 58.5kg to 55kg. Has had three runs now so will be rock hard fit. Class proven in the autumn when he ran away under 58kg to win the Group 3 Chairman’s race over 2600m by two lengths and then finished third in the Sydney Cup trifecta.

2^nd

#2 Who Shot Thebarman ($12)

There are four Waller runners in the race and the only one at double-figures is Who Shot Thebarman, which seems strange as this veteran has all the upside and is Melbourne Cup bound. Drawn a treat, gives the weight away with 57kg, but deserves the kilos. Hugh Bowman comes aboard and he was close when two lengths beaten finishing fourth in the all-Waller first four in the Kingston Town. Incredibly he’s yet to win from 15 starts at Randwick, but this nine-year-old is still showing a zest for racing and usually finishes right in the mix. 2400m third-up will suit and was runner-up in the Sydney Cup in the autumn, one of many 3200m placings.

3^rd

#8 Broadside ($8.50)

Gai Waterhouse has trained more The Metropolitan winners than any other and her chance this year is at a nice price. 52kg lightweight, Broadside races for the third straight weekend so should be the fittest horse in the field. Won the Newcastle Gold Cup two back, the form of which has stacked up a number of times in recent editions of The Metropolitan, and was last seen carting 58kg to finish just a quarter-length off the winner in last Saturday’s Colin Stephen. Big hope on this weight.

Back our exclusive 2017 The Metropolitan betting tips online now at the right price through Ladbrokes.com.au.