Underwood Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections
Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the nine runners in Saturday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
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The $750,000 Underwood Stakes has drawn together some of Australia’s best weight-for-age gallopers.
Nine runners will contest the 1800m weight-for-age contest at Caulfield.
Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.
• Coco Sun has big task to shine in Underwood Stakes
• Cameron Happ’s best bets at Caulfield on Saturday
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1 – VOW AND DECLARE
Ageing former Melbourne Cup winner that does have a good record over this distance but coming back in trip after contesting a 2000m race last start is not an ideal set up for him. Look for him to be finding the line.
VERDICT: Not this week.
Back-to-Back for Cascadian in an epic TAB Australian Cup victory!
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 30, 2024
1. Cascadian
2. Pride of Jenni
3. Atishu
ð¥ @7HorseRacing#AustralianCuppic.twitter.com/butFEl0Yn5
2 – PERICLES
No luck first-up in the PB Lawrence Stakes before making a statement last time out when dropping back to an open handicap and winning as he liked over 1500m at The Valley. Has solid figures at Caulfield and also won his only previous 1800m start. Barrier 11 isn’t ideal.
VERDICT: Form says he’s a contender but has to overcome a tricky gate over a distance close to his limit.
Pericles makes easy work of the field in the So You Think Stakes! ð@blake_shinn for James Cummings pic.twitter.com/43OKhJmlxN
— 7HorseRacing ð (@7horseracing) September 7, 2024
3 – MUNHAMEK
Consistent galloper stepping out beyond 1700m for the first time. Won the Winter Championships four starts back, three subsequent performances have been solid without winning. Drawn to get favours.
VERDICT: Has place claims but not a weight-for-age class horse.
Rise At Dawn shows great toughness to fight back and win! ðª
— 7HorseRacing ð (@7horseracing) August 31, 2024
Michael Dee for @lindsayparkracepic.twitter.com/WffLRqizgn
4 – HUETOR
Returns off a let up after finishing down the track in the Q22 over 2200m at Eagle Farm nine weeks ago. He is a two-time 2000m Group 1 weight-for-age winner and his last win came over that trip in the JRA Plate back in April. Wasn’t knocked around in a recent trial and drawn to get a good run.
VERDICT: Capable on his day but hasn’t fired a shot first-up in his past three campaigns.
Huetor goes up the inside to win the JRA Plate! ð¥
— 7HorseRacing ð (@7horseracing) April 20, 2024
Nash gets a double on the card. âï¸@SnowdenRacing1@nashhotpic.twitter.com/543EFF9vSF
5 – KOVALICA
Enigmatic customer that caught the eye getting home better than anything the final 200m when resuming in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. This is his first start the Melbourne way and he’s got a solid second-up record. Drawn out but expected to go back anyway.
VERDICT: Not won since May last year but maybe going the Melbourne way will spark him? How would you know.
That's one way to make your Australian debut ð
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 7, 2024
The American Royal Patronage wins the G2 Tramway at Randwick first up, and it's a double to the @clarkyhk - @GaiWaterhouse1 combo! pic.twitter.com/cXujWJ0rlj
6 – BOIS D’ARGENT
Resuming from a spell. Surprise winner of the Doomben Cup (2000m) during the winter then backed up his career peak with a respectable third in the Q22. Been given two trials to prepare for his return and drawn to get a good run. Proven fresh performer with a solid 1800m record.
VERDICT: Ticks a few boxes for an each-way chance.
C'est fantastique!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024
The grey Bois D'argent leads all the way to win a thrilling G1 Doomben Cup for @ANeashamRacing and @blake_shinn!@BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/9yN7M4nB4V
7 – FAWKNER PARK
One-time Caulfield Cup favourite resuming. His best fresh performances were in much easier grade than this but in two weight-for-age starts during the Brisbane winter, he easily won the Q22 over 2200m and finished third in the Doomben Cup. All his wins have come on good rated tracks so watch the weather.
VERDICT: Expect him to be doing his best work late.
Fawkner Park wins the Q22 in style!@BrisRacingClub@G1TySchil@ANeashamRacingpic.twitter.com/nlqAfU4Cr2
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024
8 – BUCKAROO
Broke his Aussie duck when showing plenty of grit to win the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at his last run. That success followed a solid first-up effort when finishing off well in the Winx Stakes. Adaptable type that can race on the speed or get back and he appears more genuine since being gelded prior to this preparation.
VERDICT: Has each-way prospects.
Another good go at Randwick in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes and it's Buckaroo who gets the photo to win his first race in Australia! ð@cwallerracing@TommyBerry21pic.twitter.com/IKDOYSWkej
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 7, 2024
9 – KNIGHT’S CHOICE
Queenslander on a Cups path. Consistent during the winter months in his home state without winning over distances from 1600 to 2400m. This is the hardest race he’s ever contested and he’s yet to win first-up in three previous campaigns. Drawn to get a good run.
VERDICT: Expect him to be closing off late.
Under a beautiful ride from @jamieleekah07, the favourite Gringotts proves too good in the Sky Racing Members' Handicap at Doomben.@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/kY6d7pAHTK
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 18, 2024
10 – DUKE DE SESSA
Handy open class galloper that comes here hard fit after resuming in July. Four runs into the campaign and he’s yet to win and this is harder again than his latest effort when beaten three-quarters-of-a-length in a quality handicap over 2000m. Has a solid Caulfield record and won his only 1800m start.
VERDICT: It would be a boilover if he won.
A great battle with Young Werther toughing it out ðª@blake_shinn@DOBrienRacingpic.twitter.com/6Vy5uOqJF7
— 7HorseRacing ð (@7horseracing) August 31, 2024
11 – PLACE DU CARROUSEL
High quality mare that was a clear second best behind Via Sistina in her first Australian start in the Ranvet Stakes during the autumn before racing below expectations in the Queen Elizabeth. Has trialled up strongly ahead of her return and the forecast for a bit of rain leading into Saturday would be welcomed.
VERDICT: Has a class edge over the opposition.
It all pays off for Via Sistina, whoâs added another G1Â to her name as she wins the Ranvet Stakes for her first win in Australia!@aus_turf_club@mcacajamez@cwallerracingpic.twitter.com/oaTXtmse2u
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2024
12 – DENY KNOWLEDGE
Handy middle distance mare resuming after winning the Grafton Cup (2400m) during the winter. Has a solid record at Caulfield and has run well fresh in the past but she’s never placed previously when racing at weight-for-age.
VERDICT: Not up to this grade.
How TOUGH was this win! ð¤
— 7HorseRacing ð (@7horseracing) April 6, 2024
Captain Envious is too strong in the Easter Cup! pic.twitter.com/lCvZLFjFF1
13 – COCO SUN
Progressive four-year-old that came a long way in a short space of time during the back end of the autumn in Adelaide, winning the SA Derby over 2500m and placing in the Australasian Oaks over 2000m. Resumed with a big weight in a Benchmark 100 handicap over 1400m three weeks ago and closed off right to the line. Will appreciate the additional 400m and 4.5kg weight drop.
VERDICT: Not without each-way claims.
Another Wil goes bang! Storms down the outside to win the last at Caulfieldð¨@jamieleekah07@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/CfFhYbLIJt
— 7HorseRacing ð (@7horseracing) August 31, 2024
****
TIPS
1st – PLACE DU CARROUSEL (No.11)
2nd – BUCKAROO (No.8)
3rd – COCO SUN (No.13)
4th – PERICLES (No.2)
Originally published as Underwood Stakes runner-by-runner form assessments and selections