3 minute read
The G1 Underwood Stakes has a rich and proud history dating back to 1924. This Saturday at Caulfield we will find out which horse enters their name in the record book alongside some of the greats of the sport as the 2024 winner.
In recent years, the time-honoured feature has been dominated by horses well in the market with 19 of the past 24 winners starting at $8 or less.
If we dive even further, favourites have won nine times since 2000 including three of the past four editions of the race so that bodes well for this year's popular elect, Pericles.
Mares do not have a great winning strike-rate in the Underwood Stakes with Bonneval in 2017 becoming the first female to win since Tristarc in 1985.
For our thoughts on every horse, check out our comprehensive 2024 Underwood Stakes preview below. (Prices current at time of publish)
1. Vow And Declare (12)
Price: $27.00
The evergreen nine-year-old returned in good order last start when working home well for fifth over 2000m at Caulfield.
The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner kicked off his 2023 Spring campaign in this race last year as a $201 shot and I expect we'll see a similar solid performance from him with a view to his main goal, the G1 Caulfield Cup.
2. Pericles (11)Price: $3.20
The Godolpin gelding loomed in the PB Lawrence Stakes first-up but just couldn't go with Gentleman Roy and Pinstriped and finished third by 0.6 lengths.
That's proven to be top form with Pinstriped subsequently winning the Memsie Stakes.
The son of Street Boss showed his typical second-up improvement when enjoying the perfect run to win the So You Think Stakes easily by 2.5 lengths.
Following that win, jockey Blake Shinn suggested the G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate should be on the stable's radar, so this race is a test to see how well he runs the 1800m trip and possibly further.
James Cummings' main man in Melbourne, Nacim Dilmi suggested this is as far as their star wants, however he did win his only start over the distance in 18 months ago when winning the G2 Autumn Classic.
He's drawn a touch sticky but if he gets some cover then he looks the horse they have to all beat.
3. Munhamek (1)
Price: $19.00
The nine-year-old gelding won three races in a row earlier this preparation in a clear demonstration that he had no plans of slowing down.
He's taken on significantly tougher races in his past three starts and has been competitive.
That included last start in the So You Think Stakes where he got too far back before finding the line well to finish 3.4 lengths behind Pericles.
He's won just once in 10 starts at Caulfield and would much prefer to race at Flemington, but in his favour is the inside barrier which should see him enjoy a nice run.
This looks a touch rich for him at this stage of his career.
4. Huetor (6)
Price: $41.00
The Peter Snowden-trained gelding returns to the races for the first time since a disappointing performance in the G2 Q22 during the Queensland Winter Carnival.
The 2x G1 winner warmed up for this with a nice trial where he trucked to the line well under his own steam.
While I don't think he can win, I do expect to see him finding the line well with a view to longer races like the The Metropolitan and Caulfield Cup deeper into his preparation.
6. Bois D'argent (4)Price: $27.00
The son of Toronado returns to the races for the first time following a very good Queensland Winter that saw him win the G1 Doomben Cup.
He's had two trials leading into this first-up assignment, but he doesn't look anywhere near wound up which is fair given the Neasham & Archibald stable have lofty plans for him deeper into his campaign that includes races like the G1 Cox Plate.
I'm happy to let him go around without me but I will be a keen observer to see how he finishes the race off.
7. Fawkner Park (2)Price: $35.00
The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding went from strength-to-strength last preparation.
Following wins in the Albury Cup and Wagga Cup, he ventured north to Brisbane for his toughest test to date.
The six-year-old handled it perfectly, storming home to finish a neck third in the Doomben Cup before absolutely dominating his rivals in the Q22 with a 3.8 length victory.
He resumes here from a short break and looked good cruising around at the back in a recent trial.
He does his best work on Good tracks so connections will be hoping the forecasted showers stay away.
There are bigger targets on his horizon, but I have no doubt he can run a big race first-up.
8. Buckaroo (10)Price: $5.00
It took eight races, but the Chris Waller-trained son of Fastnet Rock won his first race in Australia last start in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes.
The import enjoyed a nice run on speed and it took all his might to hold off the late charge of Hinged to claim the spoils.
That followed an eye-catching run in the G1 Winx Stakes where he was doing his best work late.
A gelding procedure during his time in the paddock has worked wonders and we're now seeing a new and improved horse.
Make no mistake, this guy has class as shown by his run in the G1 Ranvet Stakes last preparation when finishing 1.4 lengths third to Via Sistina and going across the line with Place Du Carrousel who is hard in the Underwood Stakes market.
With increased fitness third-up, we should see a bold showing.
9. Knight's Choice (3)Price: $41.00
The Queenslander resumes here following a 3.2 length fourth in the Listed Caloundra Cup.
The son of Extreme Choice ran well during the Winter Carnival but it's hard to see him turning the tables on Fawkner Park who belted him in the Q22.
He's the outsider of the field and it's hard to see him threatening this standard of opposition particularly when first-up.
10. Duke Du Sessa (8)Price: $16.00
The six-year-old gelding is in a dry spell, in fact he hasn't won for 97 weeks.
He had his chance to break through last start over 2000m here after enjoying the right run but just couldn't put away Young Werther.
The Ciaron Maher-trained son of Lope De Vega has fitness on his side but I just can't see him getting a long overdue win against this field.
11. Place Du Carrousel (5)
Price: $4.60
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-imported mare created a great first impression when having her first Australian start in the Ranvet Stakes during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival where she finished a credible 1.3 lengths second to Via Sistina.
She then got too far back in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the race famously won by Pride Of Jenni.
Six months with the sun on her back in an Australian paddock looks to have agreed with her based on her recent trial and jump out form.
I was particularly taken by her most recent jump out at Mornington where she settled at the back before circling the field on the turn and putting them away without raising a sweat.
There looks to be some real intent from the stable here for a bold first-up showing and I'm here for it.
12. Deny Knowledge (9)
Price: $27.00
She's another mare that will wear the Yu Long Investment colours in this year's Underwood Stakes.
The seven-year-old was last seen winning the Grafton Cup as expected and while she did win the G2 Matriarch Stakes last Spring, this race looks beyond her.
A recent trial suggests she's in for a good preparation so wait for an easier contest.
13. Coco Sun (7)Price: $13.00
The youngest horse in the field raced extremely well last preparation and looks a mare with significant upside.
She won a Benchmark 64 Handicap first-up before winning the G1 South Australian Derby just three starts later in impressive fashion.
The Team McEvoy mare recently returned over 1400m here and turned in a solid performance over an unsuitable distance that indicated she's come back in good form.
She'll strip fitter second-up and will enjoy the rise in trip so I think she looms as a strong chance at a good price.
The JudgementMares don't have a good record in the Underwood Stakes, so it takes an elite one to win and I think that's the category that Place Du Carrousel falls into.
Her second to Via Sistina in the Ranvet Stakes last preparation proves she can run well fresh against the best opposition.
She's had six months to acclimatise to Australian conditions and that time in the paddock has done her well given the mouthwatering jump out she produced recently.
G1 jockey Mark Zahra is a key booking, and he should be able to give the highest rated horse in the race every chance by settling in a prominent position.
Selections:
1st – Place Du Carrousel (11)
2nd – Pericles (2)
3rd – Fawkner Park (7)
4th – Buckaroo (8)
