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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.

Clinton Payne
4 min read
September 19, 2024 - 9:32AM
2024 Underwood Stakes Tips & Preview

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

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

****

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

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/vic-racing/underwood-stakes-runnerbyrunner-form-assessments-and-selections/news-story/acc45ce2f4d7b2cae0b0718ae223abf6