Waller Has Numbers In Metropolitan

David Hayes has added a new dimension to the Metropolitan Handicap with confirmation Spillway will run but rival trainer Chris Waller still has numbers on his side.

Spillway has been promoted to favouritism for Saturday's Group One staying feature at Randwick and only a sudden change in the weather will alter the plan.

Hayes, who is in partnership with Tom Dabernig, believes Spillway's best chance to cement a Caulfield Cup berth is to win the Metropolitan (2400m) and get a weight penalty.

Waller is also hoping one or more of his runners can step up and prove they are worthy of going south for the Caulfield Cup on October 18.

Our Voodoo Prince is back in Sydney in an attempt to regain his autumn form with the best of his three starts this time around, third in a 1600m handicap at Moonee Valley earlier this month.

"He has been a bit disappointing and hasn't come up to the standard of a Caulfield Cup path," Waller said.

"We have brought him home and we'll have a look at how he goes on Saturday."

Our Voodoo Prince, to be partnered by international star Joao Moreira, had a high profile when he was imported from England as a son of Ouija Board.

But the emergence of another of her sons, Australia, raised expectations even further.

"He has a high profile because of his breeding which might be a bit unfair," Waller said.

Bagman and Junoob are the most favoured of Waller's Metropolitan runners at $8 with the latter's return to winning form in the Hill Stakes encouraging.

"This is Junoob's chance to get a Group One," Waller said. "Getting back on a firm track he showed what he can do."

Blake Shinn retains the ride on Junoob while Hugh Bowman rides Bagman who finished third in the Hill Stakes.

Brigantin, runner-up in the recent Newcastle Cup, and Opinion make up the rest of Waller's team.

La Amistad is the second favourite for the Metropolitan which the three-quarter sister to Makybe Diva would need to win to have any chance of making the Caulfield Cup field.