Pericles primed for elusive Group 1 success in Underwood Stakes at Caulfield

Champion jockey Blake Shinn is looking forward to the rise in distance for favourite Pericles in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.

Champion jockey Blake Shinn is looking forward to the rise in distance for favourite Pericles in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) on Saturday at Caulfield.

Multiple Group 1-placed Godolphin middle distance performer Pericles sustained a strong gallop last start at The Valley to win the So You Think Stakes (1600m) under Shinn.

• $6.6m mare can send value soaring with Underwood win

Shinn crossed from a middle draw to settle second in transit and then hunt down the leader, coming away for an easy 2½-length success.

Pericles has barrier 11 of 12 to overcome on Saturday.

“It’s not ideal but he’s a go forward horse, he overcame a bit of a wide draw last time and he’s got good tactical speed,” Shinn said.

“He rode the speed (last start) which was quick, he dominated the race, it was a top win.

“He hasn’t been to 1800m since the autumn of his three-year-old season, so I’m really looking forward to getting him up to this trip, which could see where he heads to after the Underwood.”

Pericles thrashed his rivals in the So You Think Stakes at The Valley last start. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Pericles is a $3 favourite with TAB from Place Du Carrousel ($4.60), Buckaroo ($5.50) and Fawkner Park ($7.50).

Pericles has been runner-up three times at the highest level in the Rosehill Guineas, Futurity Stakes and Doncaster Mile.

“He’s run some great races around Mr Brightside and the like, he was a very good three-year-old, he’s now five years old and I think he’s proven that he’s up to the top class and hopefully now he can show he’s deserved of the Group 1 mantle,” Shinn said.

“It will be interesting after the weekend (if he wins) because they’ve got options beyond that, I’m excited to see that because he’s a good horse, a very good horse.”

• Mr Brightside set to light up The Valley

Trainer James Cummings rated the Underwood as Pericles’s best chance to win a Group 1 since the Rosehill Guineas as a three-year-old.

“One thing about the Underwood Stakes is that it’s a top-class race for horses to win, the history book tells us that,” Cummings said.

“Unless one of these horses is about to be the next Lindsay Park silent mark assassin, like Mr Brightside and win seven G1s, one of these horses needs to emerge.

“He’s well set up third-up from a spell … and he has the tactical speed to put himself right up there.

“I think there’s no shortage of class in the field, but the race hasn’t got the established superstar that the Underwood can tend to have.”

Iron horse Alligator Blood, sidelined after an injury setback, won the past two Underwood Stakes, while Russian Camelot and Zaaki saluted in 2020 and 2021 editions.

Originally published as Pericles primed for elusive Group 1 success in Underwood Stakes at Caulfield