Caulfield Racecourse will play host to a talent-rich nine race card for Underwood Stakes Day this Saturday, as the 2015 Spring Carnival kicks up another gear.
The Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) has drawn a particularly healthy field of 12 targeting some of the carnival’s headline races, while the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) undoubtedly figures as the day’s most highly-anticipated event.
We’re offering the best odds on all nine races on Underwood Stakes Day at Caulfield this weekend!
Race 1 – 12:25pm Pancare Foundation Plate (1100m)
A talented and capacity field has been confirmed for Race 1 at Caulfield on Underwood Stakes Day; the Pancare Foundation Plate for mares. David Pfieffer’s stable star Atmospherical should receive a dream run in transit from the ideal barrier 4, but has been charged with carrying a huge weight. Afleet Espirt will have taken plenty of benefit from her first-up run for fourth in the Cove Hotel BM90 (1200m), while both Pittsburgh Flyer (barrier 3) and Japhils (barrier 6) are positioned and weighted for success.
Race 2 – 12:55pm Inglis Cup (2000m)
A number of exciting four-year-olds have been included in a field of 12 for Race 2; the Inglis Cup contested over 2000m. Firehouse Rock has posted a couple of competitive but somewhat inconsistent results through three starts this time but will need plenty of luck in running from barrier 11, while Bondeiger is offered a great opportunity to return to form from barrier 5. Kansas Sunflower stamped her claims as one to watch through a strong autumn campaign and is a leading chance to return to the winner’s circle from barrier 3 on Saturday.
Race 3 – 1:30pm Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1100m)
The Le Pine Funerals Handicap is by no means the featured event on Underwood Stakes Day, but the race is shaping as one of the card’s most exiting contests after a number of talented sprinters were confirmed to take to the barriers on Wednesday. Kuro clearly needed the run when eighth in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) first-up but will relish a step back in class. Sprint king Joe Pride will be represented by Craftiness in the race who will jump from barrier 8, while Sabatini is a proven first-up performer, at course and distance and will relish jumping from barrier 5.
Race 4 – 2:10pm Listed Harry White Classic (2400m)
2015 Underwood Stakes Day’s first black type race will peg a number of talented stayers together for the Listed Harry White Classic. Shenzhou Steeds carries exceptional form into the race and will be partnered by Ben Melham, while notable black type performers Ethiopia and Renew have both been confirmed to take their places in the field of 15. Macedon Lodge have bold plans for Foundry this season, but the import will probably have to win races like the Harry White Classic if any hope of contesting his major targets.
Race 5 – 2:45pm Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m)
The final point of call on the tradition path to the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) in a fortnight, the 2015 Prelude race has drawn some of the Spring Carnival’s most exciting three-year-old fillies. Pasadena Girl stamped herself as a Thousand Guineas favourite when taking out the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in autumn and returned this time for a close second in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) on September 5th. Atlantic Jewel Stakes winner Stay With Me will jump from barrier 11 with Dwayne Dunn aboard while Jameka, Miss Gunpowder and Alaskan Rose are all worth consideration. Gold Coast filly Sagaronne offers great value for money at current Thousand Guineas Prelude odds.
Race 6 – 3:25pm Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m)
Won by Rich Enuff in 2014 before he progressed to a close second in the Caulfield Guineas, the Prelude race for three-year-old colts and geldings has drawn a particularly talented field of 16 to Underwood Stakes Day on Saturday. Odyssey Moon and Ready For Victory will both need luck from wider draws, as will the in-form Ciaron Maher-trained Bon Aurum. Team Hawkes have a huge opinion of Snoopy but the colt received a huge wake-up call when ninth in the Listed Pin & Win Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago. Chris Waller is offered an excellent chance of success via Metallic Crown, who is chasing a third-consecutive win, while Kiwi raider Dal Cielo will contest his first Australian start in the race from barrier 2; leading New Zealand hoop Opie Bosson confirmed to take the ride.
Race 7 – 4:05pm Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m)
Twelve talented runners have been confirmed to contest the featured Group 1 Underwood Stakes. Mick Burles continues to chase a maiden Group 1 title with The Cleaner, and the horse is sure to find the fore of the field from jump after drawing on the rails. Fawkner will be seeking a second-consecutive win at the highest level after taking out the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago and will relish a step-up in distance, while Contributer is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m). Dibayani offers exceptional value for money at double figure odds while kiwi pair Mongolian Khan and Volkstok’N’Barrell can never be written off.
Race 8 – 4:45pm Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m)
Underwood Stakes Day’s second Group 1; the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has drawn a particularly talented and capacity field of short course specialists. The Lee and Anthony Freedman-trained Disposition returned to racing for an impressive win in The Sofitel (1400m) two weeks ago and is a deserving favourite, but cases can be made for close to the entire field. Stratum Star and Under The Louvre are proven performers over course and distance, while Lucky Hussler will relish the conditions second-up, from barrier 2. Rich Enuff has plenty to do from the wide barrier 22, while Queensland Hopfgarten and consistent mare Gregers are both well worth consideration at long odds.
Race 9 – 5:20pm The Cup Club Handicap (1700m)
A number of notable horses will use the Cup Club Handicap on Underwood Stakes Day as a stepping stone towards major Spring Carnival goals. Kiwi raider Puccini has not been able to capture his home form in any of his Australian preparations so far and is charged with carrying 61.5kgs in the race, while Akzar also faces a tough task from a wide draw and with 60kgs in tow. Iggimacool carries arguably career-best form to date into the Cup Club Handicap while the ever-consistent Jacquinot Bay is offered a great opportunity to find winning form from barrier 3.