Group l racing returns to Caulfield this Saturday with a capacity field assembled for the Underwood Stakes (1800m), where Alligator Blood is favourite.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Underwood Stakes.
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2023 Underwood Stakes Speed Map
On paper, it looks straight forward with Alligator Blood finding the front, like it was last Saturday. Just depends whether D Oliver wants to take the handbrake off. Lindermann will look to hold a forward spot from the inside gate while drawn wide, the likes of Tuvalu and Smokin Romans will likely push to land near the front.
2023 Underwood Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Vow And Declare: Likely has eyes on the Melbourne Cup so just happy to watch him go around in what is going to be a prep run.
2. Alligator Blood: I can’t entertain him at the short odds. Had every chance in front last Saturday in the Makybe Diva but was comfortably held late by Mr Brightside. IMO, jury is out on how well he is going and despite a soft lead on the cards, I have others ahead of him. Keen to oppose.
3. Mo’Unga: You can make a case to say that he is racing for his career here. Tailed off last in the Winx Stakes before going to the Chelmsford where he got back and while he was never a threat, he did make up ground. Best is good enough, but IMO, jury out. Just watching.
4. Nonconformist: He was specked at big odds in the Memsie and while he was never a winning threat, I actually didn’t mind the way he finished his race off behind Mr Brightside. Much better set up this time around…first four contender for sure.
5. Tuvalu: Tuvalu…is he back on track? I am saying yes. Looked all over a winner two weeks back in the Feehan at The Valley when presented into the race under Shinn but he couldn’t quite get there when a narrow second to Pinstriped. 1800m is the obvious query with him but I reckon if they go to the old tactics of sitting on speed, that will give him his best chance.
6. Smokin’ Romans: This time last year he won the Naturalism. He hasn’t quite gone on with it since this time last year but he has good upside to come and with a kind map on paper, I think he can run a much improved race.
7. Alenquer: Overseas raider that brought suspect form and his two runs in the Autumn indicated as much that he might not be much good. He can win without me.
8. Without A Fight: Without A Fight is a high class animal for Team Freedman and confident he resumes with a win. He hasn’t raced since an outstanding Brisbane prep, the last start being a dominant win in The Q22. Has eyes on the Caulfield Cup and his trial/jumpout work indicates he is flying. Dry track, 1800m, turn of foot, strong late…he’s clearly the one to beat.
9. Right You Are: Right You Are is such a genuine animal for Maher/Eustace. He resumed at Caulfield several weeks ago where he was just off the speed throughout and trucked before angling clear and drove hard, looking the winner for a couple of strides, but was nabbed late by Jimmy The Bear. Has eyes on the Caulfield Cup but given how genuine he is, he is a must for multiples.
10. Soulcombe: Soulcombe looks like he will rock and roll this Spring. Not sure he beat much fresh in the Heatherlie three weeks ago but the manner in which he put them away and his change up speed when asked by Shinn was something else. Any hint of improvement off that, never mind holding his form, and he’ll take beating.
11. Duke De Sessa: Duke De Sessa is a horse I have plenty of time for. Maher/Eustace import that resumed a few weeks back in the Memsie where he got a mile out of his ground and given the race shape, he was never a factor but I did like the way he stuck on and found the line behind Mr Brightside. I think the 1800m will be ideal and with enormous upside, a win wouldn’t shock.
12. Bank Maur: Just a run in the Memsie first up. He needs easier.
13. Lindermann: Nice horse that is a Group l winner. He just has no turn of foot so I think if Bowman lets him roll on speed, that is his best chance of winning, rather than take a sit like Gibbons did in the Chelmsford. Knockout hope.
14. Attrition: Can make a case to say he should have won the Feehan. Just got held up at a crucial stage before eventually getting clear, just missing out on the win when second to Pinstriped. 1800m is the query but off last run, it should be fine.
15. Duais: I think she is back on track…I think. She has caught the eye in two runs back from a spell, the latest in the Chelmsford when warming to the task nicely late in the piece behind Navajo Peak. Like her back at Caulfield and in a truly run race, she’ll get every chance.
16. Lunar Flare: She is ticking along beautifully towards the Melbourne Cup. Did more than enough in the Feehan…think she’ll run well here but wait til she gets to Flemington.
17. Alaskan God (First Emergency): Alaskan God looks to be back on track and with that said, I think he can win this. Jury was out on him early on this prep but the last couple of runs indicate he’s more than capable of measuring up in Melbourne. He ran two weeks ago in the Feehan where he was off the bit early and chasing but he ran through the pain barrier and kept finding the line in a really good effort behind Pinstriped. Hard fit now, getting to 1800m…think he’d be a knockout hope but instead likely runs in the Naturalism.
2023 Underwood Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
Having two win bets here. $80 on Without A Fight and $20 on Soulcombe.
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $300
Group 1 Strategy Return: $550