UNDERWOOD STAKES
1800m, $750,000, weight-for-age
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); So You Think (2010); It’s A Dundeel (2013); Black Heart Bart (2016)
* Waitangirua and My Brown Jug dead-heated for first in 1980
TALKING POINTS
* Only five mares have won the Underwood, the latest Tristarc in 1985
* Black Heart Bart will be attempting to become the 13th horse to win the race more than once
* Murray Baker, who trains Bonneval in partnership with Andrew Forsman, is aiming for his fourth win after It’s A Dundeel (2013), Lion Tamer (2011), The Phantom (1990)
WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING:
“I think he’s really ready to attack the line and he showed real sharpness in a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning” – Hartnell’s trainer James Cummings
“She’s just a pretty laid-back horse who doesn’t do a lot on the track but she seems in good order. This is a real test for her this week, so we’ll know where we are with her” – Bonneval’s co-trainer Murray Baker
“I play better at Caulfield. He’s got a good barrier and I can forgive him for one bad run and it also keeps him on the Caulfield Cup path” – Lindsay Park senior trainer David Hayes on He’s Our Rokkii who runs at Caulfield instead of the Epsom Handicap at Randwick
“A win in the Underwood gets her a (Caulfield Cup) start and no penalty. It’s a good way in” – David Hayes on Samovare
