The first of the majors this Saturday at Caulfield is the Underwood Stakes (1800m) where Cups aspirants will stake their claim.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Underwood Stakes.
2025 Underwood Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Knight’s Choice: SCR
2. Buckaroo: Buckaroo picks himself IMO. Resumed three weeks ago in the Memsie and was one of the runs of the meeting given he was first up and over an unsuitable trip. He bolted up in this race last year and with all the upside in the world, proven performer, he’ll take a power of beating.
3. Smokin Romans: I thought he did a really good job here last start when leading, only nabbed late by Revelare, who won again last week to frank the form. He gets the lead and if he gets front end control, he’ll run a bold race and for mine is clear overs.
4. Desert Lightning: Just a win in the So You Think in what turned out to be a sit/sprint. I think that form is crap and he needs to improve big time to measure up against the big boys.
5. Casino Seventeen: Casino Seventeen should appreciate getting to Caulfield after racing over 2040m a few weeks back at The Valley he just found them a bit sharp but stayed on and was sound in defeat behind Relentless Voyager. Has upside to come and should be strong late, but doubt he measures up.
6. Land Legend: Loved his first up run and then in the Chelmsford, it was a barrier trial re track pattern, so a total forgive. Hard fit and 1800m, his best is certainly good enough to be a knockout hope.
7. Middle Earth: Has eyes on the Cups but loved his first up run, working home with real purpose late. Has eyes on further, but maps to settle much closer in the run and he will be strong late.
8. Golden Path: On the seven day back up after his win last Saturday at Flemington. Loved the way he knuckled down late to score and he’ll love getting to 1800m. Lands on speed, I think he’ll run a positive race.
9. Sir Delius: Sir Delius should take a power of beating for GaiBott after resuming in the Chelmsford where he kept chasing from off speed but kept finding the line and got very close to knocking off Lindermann. Fitter and up to 1800m, he’s one of the leading contenders.
10. Moira: I can’t have her. Thought she had every chance in the So You Think but was held by Desert Lightning. Third up and hard fit, kind map, 1800m ideal…but she let me down last time and I think she’s too short.
11. Zardozi: Zardozi should appreciate a rise in trip for Ciaron Maher after resuming two weeks back in the So You Think. She wasn’t suited at all racing at The Valley but she kept finding the line and was really good late in the piece. Better set up here, not dismissing her.
12. Anisette: Was solid late when resuming in the PB Lawrence but reckon she may need another run and can’t entertain her.
2025 Underwood Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$30 Win/$70 Place Buckaroo
Group l Strategy Outlay: $400
Group l Strategy Return: $365
Underwood Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | BUCKAROO (GB) | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 8 | 59kg |
| 3 | SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | John Allen | 2 | 59kg |
| 4 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 3 | 59kg |
| 5 | CASINO SEVENTEEN | Gavin Bedggood | Billy Egan | 9 | 59kg |
| 6 | LAND LEGEND (FR) | Chris Waller | Michael Dee | 12 | 59kg |
| 7 | MIDDLE EARTH (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 1 | 59kg |
| 8 | GOLDEN PATH (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jordan Childs | 7 | 59kg |
| 9 | SIR DELIUS (GB) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Craig Williams | 11 | 59kg |
| 10 | MOIRA (CAN) | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 4 | 57kg |
| 11 | ZARDOZI | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Melham | 10 | 57kg |
| 12 | ANISETTE (GB) | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 5 | 57kg |
Underwood Stakes Odds
2025 Underwood Stakes Speed Map
Smokin Romans and Golden Path look the main speed players, with Smokin Romans the likely leader. I think they’ll roll the dice on Sir Delius and go forward from the wide gate. Outside that, I can’t see much early tempo.
