UNDERWOOD STAKES
1800m, $750,000, weight-for-age at Caulfield
HISTORY
* First run in 1924 when won by Whittier
NOTABLE WINNERS
* Whittier (1924-25); Phar Lap (1931); Ajax (1938-39-40); Tobin Bronze (1966); Rain Lover (1970); Bonecrusher (1986); Jeune (1994); Octagonal (1996); Northerly (2001-02); Weekend Hussler (2008); So You Think (2010); It’s A Dundeel (2013); Bonneval (2017)
* Waitangirua and My Brown Jug dead-heated for first in 1980
TALKING POINTS
* The winner of the Underwood is eligible for a $1 million bonus if they go on to win this year’s $5 million Cox Plate at The Valley
* Last year’s winner Homesman and 2016 winner Black Heart Bart are both aiming to become the first horses since Northerly in 2001 and 2002 to win the race twice
* The Chosen One’s co-trainer Murray Baker is aiming for his fifth Underwood victory having won with Bonneval (2017), It’s A Dundeel (2013), Lion Tamer (2011), The Phantom (1990)
* West Australian gelding Gatting will be chasing a second-consecutive Group One win after his upset victory over Mystic Journey in the Makybe Diva Stakes
* Of the 13 runners, 10 are Group One winners with only Yucatan, Super Titus and The Chosen One yet to win at the highest level
WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING:
“The Underwood this year is looking like a race that will suit him and give him a great chance to add another Group One to a truly great record” – Hartnell’s trainer James Cummings
“I think we will see a better performance on Sunday” – Humidor’s co-trainer David Eustace
“I thought it was a pass mark at The Valley and hopefully she can improve going up in trip” – Eustace on Kenedna
“He’ll certainly be a couple of lengths better off for having that run, but I think he’s still a run away from going to the races with a little bit of confidence of giving the race a shake” – Gailo Chop’s trainer Matthew Williams
“He over-raced last start and I thought backing him up over 1800 metres with a faster tempo would be good” – Lindsay Park co-trainer David Hayes on Super Titus
