Underwood Stakes Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide to the Caulfield Group 1
- Runner-by-Runner Guide to the Underwood Stakes
- Will Alligator Blood justify the favourite tag?
- Who will take out the Caulfield Group 1?
The Underwood Stakes is run over 1800m at Caulfield racecourse under weight-for-age conditions.
The race was first run in 1924 it was been won by some champion horses including Ajax (1938,39,40), Bonecrusher (1986), Northerly (2001,02) and more recently So You Think (2010).
We gone through every runner in the race and our full 2023 Underwood Stakes Preview can be found below.
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1. Vow And Declare (59kg) 4
The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner ran well fresh during his last campaign, finishing just over a length off Right You Are in the Listed Victoria Gold Cup at Sandown.
In fact, he was runner-up in his first three starts in the autumn and was beaten a length in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill.
His best form has not been at Caulfield but he is capable of producing a rating high enough to be competitive in a race like this.
2. Alligator Blood (59kg) 8
The now seven-year-old has been a marvel since arriving at the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable and rarely produces a poor performance.
Took a sit in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes first up and fought right to the line to be nabbed late, beaten under a length.
Found one better last weekend at Flemington in the Makybe Diva Stakes but was far from disgraced.
Won this race last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if Damien Oliver takes him straight to the front.
3. Mo’unga (59kg) 17
Has been far from his best in two runs so far this prep and although he made up some ground late, he was well beaten in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes last time out.
He is another that can produce a high rating on his day, like he did when finishing second in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last prep, but has drawn a very tricky barrier.
4. Nonconformist (59kg) 6
Is yet to win at Group 1 level in 30 career starts but has finished in the top two in four of seven Group 2 races.
Was only plain in the Memsie Stakes first up and usually takes a couple of runs to find his best. Whatever he does here he will improve on.
5. Tuvalu (59kg) 13
Has been a very consistent performer for Lindsay Smith placing in 15 of 18 career race starts during his career.
Hasn’t been far away in both runs this prep at Group 2 level and his record third up is exceptional.
Jamie Kah will need to produce her best from barrier 13 but he is one of the fancied runners in the market.
6. Smokin’ Romans (59kg) 14
The 2022 Turnbull Stakes winner closed out his autumn campaign by finishing two lengths off Cascadian in the Australian Cup.
He was asked to carry 60kg first up when leading throughout at this track only to be run over late.
Fitter second up and up in distance will suit but the barrier will not.
7. Alenquer (59kg) 10
Has contended some rich races since making his way to Australian shores without firing a bullet.
Well beaten in both the All-Star Mile and Queen Elizabeth during the autumn and may need an easier grade than this.
He has been gelded since the last time we saw him and the blinkers have been added.
8. Without A Fight (59kg) 11
There was no more exciting horse to come out of the Queensland Winter Carnival than this horse after dominating his rivals in both starts.
This included a 1.9 length win in the Q22 at Eagle Farm where he beat some handy horses.
He has placed in all but one first-up run during his career and his recent trial suggests he’s ready to go.
9. Right You Are (59kg) 2
Barely put a hoof wrong during his last prep, winning six of his last seven starts culminating in the Listed Mornington Cup.
Lack of fitness was evident when he resumed at Caulfield where he was only narrowly denied over 1600m.
The step up in trip suits as does the nice draw in barrier two.
10. Soulcombe (59kg) 5
One of the most progressive horses in the race and started the prep perfectly with a win here at Caulfield.
That was the fifth win of his 12-race career and the son of Frankel will only take improvement out of the run.
Drawn well with Blake Shinn steering means he’ll get a lovely run in transit.
11. Duke De Sessa (59kg) 16
Made his Australian racing debut in the Doncaster Handicap where he found plenty of traffic in the straight which didn’t help his chances.
Ran on well first up in the Memsie after being well back and I’d look for a much-improved performance here.
Not the roughest.
12. Bank Maur (58kg) 1
Finished less than 1.5 lengths behind Legarto in the Group 1 Australian Guineas during the autumn and is a four-year-old with plenty of natural ability.
Was excellent when resuming in the Mesmie to make up plenty of ground late and he’ll appreciate the sharp step up in distance now.
13. Lindermann (58kg) 3
The 2023 Rosehill Guineas winner is one of the more exciting four-year-olds in the country.
With two runs under the belt this prep he’ll be ready to produce a spike rating.
Drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier three with Hugh Bowman on top.
14. Attrition (58kg) 15
A lightly raced four-year-old with a heap of upside.
Was only narrowly denied at The Valley last time out behind Pinstriped and everything points to the 1800m not being an issue despite it being his first attempt at the distance.
Has found good early support in betting despite the awkward draw.
15. Duais (57kg) 7
Has been a while in between wins for the 2022 Tancred Stakes winner and in fact that was her last victory.
Wasn’t far away in two runs in Queensland during the Winter and has brought some residual fitness into this campaign.
Still looking for further and I’m happy to watch to see what she produces in this event.
16. Lunar Flare (57kg) 12
Was absolutely dominant when booking her ticket into the 2023 Melbourne Cup by winning the Andrew Ramsden by 5.5 lengths in May.
Well beaten at The Valley first up but usually takes her a few runs to find her best.
Seven runs at Caulfield has produced just the one minor placing.
17. Alaskan God (E) (59kg) 9
Only lightly raced but well beaten at The Valley last start in the Feehan.
Will need a scratching to gain a start but the price looks about right.
Verdict
SELECTIONS
1st - Alligator Blood
2nd - Right You Are
3rd – Lindermann
4th – Without A Fight
1st - Alligator Blood
2nd - Right You Are
3rd – Lindermann
4th – Without A Fight
Alligator Blood
To Win
@45/17 - 2 Units
Lightning fast betting
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