For the second year running the Group 1 Underwood Stakes has brought together a small but select band of gallopers.
Zaaki, who won the 1800m weight-for-age contest at Sandown last year against four opponents, will be out to add a second win in the Group 1 contest on Sunday in what is shaping as a dress rehearsal for next month’s Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
The Underwood Stakes will see Zaaki and I’m Thunderstruck, the quinella pairing from the All-Star Mile at Flemington renew acquaintances where they will be joined by Alligator Blood, Mr Brightside, Mo’Unga and Nonconformist.
Annabel Neasham took Zaaki and Mo’unga to Sandown on Wednesday morning to gallop ahead of Sunday’s contest and it enabled Jamie Kah to be reunited with last year’s winner.
Kah partnered Zaaki to win the All-Star Mile while James Mcdonald was the rider in Brisbane over the winter and when a first-up winner of the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 3.
“James is in that position where he’s got two of the favourites (for the Cox Plate) that he’s been riding,” Neasham said.
“Jamie is based in Melbourne, she has done no wrong. She has ridden plenty of winners lately and she has a really good affiliation with Zaaki, so we’re really excited to have her on this weekend.
“Zaaki came down on Monday night. It’s good to get him back down here and it’s good to give him another look around Sandown. Jamie rode him and she was really happy with his work.”
Neasham is following the same program as last year with Zaaki, although the trainer said she may bypass the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in the lead-up to the Cox Plate.
“He didn’t love Caulfield last year. It might have been the firmness of the track,” Neasham said.
“If it was a softer track, we possibly will give the Might And Power some thought, but I wouldn’t be afraid to go four weeks with a trial either into the Cox Plate 2022.
“We’ll get through this weekend and then we’ll work it out.”
Neasham expects Mo’unga to run well on Sunday after his third-place finish behind I’m Thunderstruck and Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 10.
“He came out of the Makybe Diva well and he’ll be a big improver on Sunday,” Neasham said.
“This year he’s a little stronger, more relaxed and the Cox Plate is the aim if he keeps pleasing us.”
