Patrick Erin flys the flag for White Robe Lodge with Metropolitan Handicap win

Patrick Erin flew the flag for White Robe Lodge with his win in the group one $A750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday (29/9/2018).

The sad aspect was that his Christchurch breeder Patrick Erin Smith did not live to see the 7yr-old  Gallant Guru - Mega Babe gelding collect the $435,000 first prize.

Smith died in May at the age of 76. Patrick Erin is raced by his estate, widow, Janis, daughter Jackie and Pat's school friends, twins Tony (Christchurch) and Graeme Handisides.

It was a major achievement for WRL sire Gallant Guru to sire a gr one winner in Australia.

Patrick Erin was conceived, foaled, reared  and trained at WRL. He won 10 (including the listed Riverton Cup) of his 21 starts when trained by Brian and Shane Anderton before he was consigned to the Sydney stable of Chris Waller in February. Brian advised the transfer as Patrick Erin was at a difficult place in the handicap. Patrick Erin carried 59kg to finish fourth in the Wellington Cup at his last start in New Zealand, He carried 51kg on Saturday with Corey Brown the rider.

The late Mr Smith sent Red Diamond (Faith Guest - Red's Image), the granddam of Patrick Erin, to breed at WRL in 1995 after she won three races, two for Garth Jackson and another for Pam Robson when trained at Riccarton.

Red Diamond left Mega Babe, the dam of Patrick Erin, from a mating with Personal Escort. Mega Babe was restricted to one start. She died in 2013 and left six winners from as many foals to race. She is also the dam of Gallant Boy (eight wins), Tunza Vitality, Beijing Boy, Gallant Babe and Erin's Babe. Gallant Boy and Beijing Boy have both finished second in group three races.

The Smith Estate has Gallant Babe (a sister to Patrick Erin) and Erin's Babe (a half sister by Raise The Flag) at WRL. Gallant Babe is due to foal to Ghibellines and Erin's Babe, a maiden winner at Wingatui in November, has been served by that sire.

The 2010 Metropolitan Handicap winner Herculian Prince (Yamanin Vital - Sea Island), trained in Sydney by Gai Waterhouse, was also raised at WRL.

Patrick Erin has been entered for the Caulfield Cup (103^rd in order of entry) and Melbourne Cup (160^th). He finished sixth in the Sydney Cup (3200m) in April won by WRL-bred Who Shot The Barman (Yamanin Vital - Ears Carol). The Wellington Cup was the same distance. The $500,000 St Leger (2600m) at Randwick on October 13 is another suitable for Patrick Erin.