Underwood Stakes Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide for the Caulfield Group 1
- Underwood Stakes is a Group 1 race over 1800m at Caulfield
- Top selections: Place Du Carrousel, Pericles, and Fawkner Park
- Historical winners include Phar Lap and Octagonal
The Underwood Stakes is run over 1800m at Caulfield racecourse under weight-for-age conditions and attracts some of the best middle distance horses in the country on their way to bigger targets during the spring carnival.
The Group 1 race was first run in 1924 and has been won by some of our best horses over the years including Phar Lap (1931), Tobin Bronze (1966) and Octagonal (1996).
We’ve offered our thoughts and top four selections below.
1. Vow And Declare (13)
The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner closed out last campaign with a win in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup over 2400m at Eagle Farm and should bring residual fitness into this campaign.
Was far from disgraced first up at here at Caulfield but this is another step up in grade.
2. Pericles (11)
Wasn’t beaten far when resuming in the Group 2 P.B Lawrence and then couldn’t have been much more impressive when scoring by 2.5 lengths at The Valley when dropping considerably in class.
There is no doubting his ability on his day but he’s had eight cracks at Group 1 level for three minor placings.
This isn’t a vintage edition of the Underwood Stakes and 1800m looks ideal for him.
3. Munhamek (1)
The nine-year-old gelding has now won $2.5 million in prize money and he did manage three wins in a row in Melbourne over the winter months.
He’s just not suited at weight-for-age at Group 1 level in my opinion but with the right tempo he could be storming home late.
4. Huetor (6)
Another older horse that has been around for a long time but unlike Munhamek, this guy is a two-time Group 1 winner.
He’s proven capable of running well in races like this but not first up where he has just one win from 10 career starts.
5. Kovalica (12)
He has been the ultimate tease for many punters, threatening to win another Group 1 by running on late in almost all of his 21 career starts.
Chris Waller has often trained the horse to run a mile but he’s always looked a better 2000-2400m horse to me.
Was excellent when third in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes first up and will only improve off that.
6. Bois D’argent (4)
Broke through for his maiden Group 1 victory by winning the Doomben Cup during the winter and has missed a place only once in eight first up runs during his long career.
Drawn to get a lovely run in transit from barrier four and looks over the odds.
7. Fawkner Park (2)
Won three of his last four starts during his last campaign including a dominant performance to win the Q22 at Eagle Farm by almost four lengths.
There may not be a more exciting and progressive staying horse heading toward the Caulfield Cup and he will bring some residual fitness to this campaign.
8. Buckaroo (10)
Made up plenty of ground late when resuming in the Group 1 Winx Stakes and then was a narrow winner in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes two weeks ago.
I loved the fact that Tommy Berry took a more forward position in running in that last start win but Joao Moreira jumps aboard this time.
Nine starts at Group 1 level for one minor placing is my main concern.
9. Knight’s Choice (3)
Has been a very consistent performer for quite some time and in fact he hasn’t finished worst than fourth in his last eight in a row.
Was well beaten by Fawkner Park in the Q22 despite finishing second and this is his first go at the top level of racing.
10. Duke De Sessa (8)
Comes into this race fifth up from a spell so will have a fitness edge on a lot of his rivals.
Was over run late by Young Werther here at Caulfield last start and he looks out of his depth at this level.
11. Place Du Carrousel (5)
Was excellent when making her Australian racing debut in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes when beaten 1.3 length behind Via Sistina.
You can forget her run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes as we know what happened there with Pride Of Jenni stringing the field out and I’m expecting her to run really well first up.
She is a Group 3 winner over 2000m in France and has drawn to get a soft run throughout from barrier five.
12. Deny Knowledge (9)
Narrowly denied at Listed level during the winter before she took out the Grafton Cup over 2350m.
She’s a consistent mare at lower grade but this seems too tough.
13. Coco Sun (7)
The 2024 South Australian Derby winner has been thrown into the deep end first up here.
She was narrowly beaten in the S.A Oaks before beating the boys and will improve on whatever she produces first up here.
Verdict
SELECTIONS
1.No. 11 Place Du Carrousel
2.No. 2 Pericles
3.No. 7 Fawkner Park
4.No. 6 Bois D’argent
Place Du Carrousel
Each-Way
@13/5 - 3 Units
Love Tradies. 4x Daily Withdrawals.
Join with Referral Code BETSAUS
The Tradie.bet code is BETSAUS. 4x Daily Withdrawals. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Chances are you’re about to lose.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
09 September 2026
- Sandown- September 9 -
- Horse Racing
- Ipswich - September 9 -
- Horse Racing
- Murray Bridge - September 9 -
- Horse Racing
- Randwick - September 9 -
- Horse Racing
- Belmont - September 9 -
- Horse Racing
- Happy Valley - September 9 -
- Horse Racing
10 September 2026
- Seymour - September 10 -
- Horse Racing
17 October 2026
- The Everest -
- Horse Racing
- Caulfield Cup -
- Horse Racing
Load More
