Sport
4 June, 2025
Mr Metrics eyes Mount Isa Cup win before trip to big smoke
The Richmond galloper qualified for the Battle of the Bush at Cloncurry.
After breaking track records at both Gregory and Cloncurry (unofficial), Mr Metrics will set his sights on achieving two more feats this preparation – winning the Mount Isa Cup and the Battle of the Bush Final.
Trained out of Richmond, the six-year-old gelding has been a steal for Shryn Royes, who paid just $3500 for the former NSW galloper, who had just two starts for Ingham’s Joe Russo before being re-listed for sale.
Since arriving in the North West, Mr Metrics has won three times, including a $21,000 TAB race in Townsville, and placed on five occasions.
When he claimed the Burke Shire Cup at Gregory, he qualified for the Outback Racing Showcase Final at McKinlay later this month.
But plans for that race went out the window on Saturday when Mr Metrics produced a superb on-pace victory in the Battle of the Bush heat at Cloncurry.
Ridden superbly by Micheal McDonald, the large galloper put paid to his rivals in the home straight, racing to a three-and-a-half length win.
More impressive, however, was the time.
Mr Metrics stopped the clock in 1:07.18, which appears to be a track record for the 1200m at Schumacher Park.
Royes, who has won a Mount Isa Cup before but is well behind her brother Steven, who has won eight of the feature events, said she would run the six-year-old in this Saturday’s 1450m feature before preparing him for the Battle of the Bush Final (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 28.
“It’s probably not the best way to do it but there’s no race for him at Richmond next week and McKinlay is too close for him to race and then travel to Brisbane,” the trainer said, lamenting the timing of the Outback Racing Showcase Final.
“I would have really liked to have gone to both because I thought he’d be a good chance at McKinlay.
“But this is a great chance to go down (to Brisbane) and give it a crack.”
Royes is under no illusion of the challenge that awaits her, but is thrilled to have her first city runner and expects Mr Metrics to be hard to beat in Saturday’s Mount Isa Cup.
“He’s a very honest horse who always gives himself a chance with the way he races,” she said of the on-pace galloper.
“Micheal has been offered the ride in Brisbane if he can make the weight and he’s keen as.”
CUP DAY MATINEE
WHILE the Mount Isa Cup will be the feature race and has attracted good nominations, there are four other events on the program, including the historic Coppermarket (1100m).
Another Battle of the Bush contender, Han Dynasty, has been entered for the feature sprint, with Barcaldine trainer Bevan Johnson hoping he can win his 12th start at Buchanan Park from 13 attempts.
Local trainer Emma Morton will fancy Casino Lord in the same race, while Mount Isa Race Club president Jay Morris has nominated Le Force to return from a spell in the quality race.
Racing will begin around 1pm on Saturday, with tickets available online or at the gate.
