Underwood Stakes Racing Tips- Lindermann the one to catch in Group 1 Underwood Stakes

The weight-for-age contest has been an important stepping stone towards the Cox Plate (2040m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m), with recent winners including Sir Delius, Buckaroo and Alligator Blood. Sir Delius claimed last year's edition ahead of Buckaroo and Golden Path.

Cosmic Crusader heads the betting at $2.60 after producing three excellent performances in Melbourne this preparation. The Andrea Leek-trained galloper claimed the Bletchingly Stakes and P.B. Lawrence Stakes before finishing third behind Beiwacht in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), recording a figure 8.7 lengths faster than standard benchmark.

He now steps up to 1800m, the distance at which he produced his career-best benchmark performance when winning the Group 1 Northerly Stakes in Perth last December, running 15 lengths faster than standard.

However, race shape could be a significant factor. Cosmic Crusader has settled worse than midfield in each of his three Melbourne appearances this preparation and may again be giving his rivals a start.

Lindermann ($3.30) looks capable of taking full advantage. The Chris Waller-trained gelding returned to winning form in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 5, enjoying the run of the race in front before proving too strong.

Birdman ($6) is another major contender. The imported galloper finished sixth in the Memsie Stakes but produced the fastest final 200m of the race and should appreciate the rise in distance.

He won the Blamey Stakes (1600m) second-up last autumn before claiming the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) over this track and distance. He comes into Saturday's assignment second-up again and looks ready to produce a significantly improved performance.

Stablemate Buckaroo ($11) was fifth in the Memsie Stakes and returns to the scene of his 2024 Underwood Stakes triumph, while Kingswood ($19) brings outstanding recent form after claiming the Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield first-up.

Kingswood recorded the best last-start benchmark figure of any runner in the field, going 11.2 lengths faster than standard, and should enjoy a favourable position just behind the speed.

Aeliana ($6) will need to improve on her disappointing first-up performance in the Winx Stakes, while Pinstriped ($34) is an interesting outsider after finishing runner-up in the So You Think Stakes. Aeliana and Lindermann are both dual acceptors, entered in for the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Aeliana is expected to line up in Sydney, while Lindermann looks set to run in the Underwood. 

Fine conditions are expectd for Caulfield on Saturday with a Good 4 track likely. The Underwood Stakes is Race 7 on the programme, while the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes comes up in Race 9. 

Lindermann looks the likely leader from barrier one, with Kingswood settling handy and potentially enjoying the run of the race. Cosmic Crusader and Aeliana are expected to settle around midfield, while Birdman and Buckaroo may need to make their runs from further back.

The absence of an obvious rival for the lead gives Lindermann an opportunity to dictate the tempo, potentially making life difficult for the backmarkers if the field does not string out.

Lindermann can make every post a winner in the Underwood Stakes. The Chris Waller-trained gelding returned to winning form with a dominant on-speed performance in the Chelmsford Stakes and looks set to enjoy another favourable scenario from barrier one. He was a narrow runner-up in the Ranvet Stakes when third-up last preparation, finishing ahead of Sir Delius, before chasing that galloper home in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The rise to 1800m suits, his third-up record is excellent and he should be able to control the tempo in a small field. With Cosmic Crusader and Birdman likely to settle behind him, Lindermann could prove extremely difficult to run down.

Birdman appeals as the value runner among the leading chances. The Chris Waller-trained galloper finished sixth in the Memsie Stakes but recorded the fastest final 200m of the race, suggesting he is ready to improve sharply with the rise in distance. He won the Blamey Stakes second-up last preparation before claiming the Peter Young Stakes over this track and distance, and he follows a similar path into Saturday's assignment. The six-year-old should appreciate the additional 400m and has the finishing strength to make his presence felt if the tempo is genuine. At $6, he offers an attractive alternative to the favourite.