Spring racing hits full stride this Saturday at Caulfield with Underwood Stakes Day, a blockbuster program that promises high-octane action and pivotal form lines for the weeks ahead.
Headlining the card is the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, which features a star-studded lineup including joint Melbourne Cup favourite Sir Delius, last year’s winner Buckaroo, and the exciting import Moira.
Adding further depth to the day is the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, returning to its traditional spring slot and attracting a quality field of sprinters, including Angel Capital and Sepals, both looking to stamp their credentials ahead of the big handicaps.
The program also includes the Naturalism Stakes, a key Caulfield Cup qualifier, with top stables like Maher and Waller fielding strong teams.
With elite horses, top jockeys, and spring ambitions on the line, Underwood Stakes Day is set to deliver drama, class, and crucial clues for the carnival ahead.
Here’s your guide to all 10 races and runners that matter most, especially if you’re chasing a few winners this Saturday.
NATION’S CALL (7) returns to the races for the first time since finishing just under a length third over 2100m on the Lakeside track in July.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained son of Frankel didn’t have a lot of luck when kicking off last preparation over 1400m here, but he has raced well fresh in the past including two preparations ago when he won over this distance at Moe.
Blake Shinn is back in the saddle and built a good relationship with the horse in his first Australian campaign when winning two out of four starts along with a close second over 1700m here in a stronger race.
He’s drawn ideally in barrier 1 which should see Shinn settle in a prominent position.
| 7. Nation’s Call (1) J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg 6823xT: Robbie Griffiths |
SHADHAVAR (9) was excellent last start when stepping up to this course and distance for the first time and can go one better here.
The Tom Dabernig-trained mare was caught wide early after drawing an outside gate but found the line strongly to finish 1.25 lengths second to the talented On Display with third 3.35 lengths away.
She was rising sharply in distance from 1100m so should come on greatly from the experience.
Craig Williams can give her a beautiful run from barrier 3 and I expect her to be fighting out the finish.
| 9. Shadhavar (2) J: Craig Williams 57kg x5362T: Tom Dabernig |
STRETAN ANGEL (7) may be winless for nearly two years, but she hasn’t contested a race of this modest calibre since her debut.
The Phillip Stokes-trained mare can be forgiven for her first-up performance in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes where she led and folded like a deckchair as she suffered from poor recovery.
She boasts an excellent second-up record of two wins and three placings from five starts which includes a third placing in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning last preparation.
Under the set weight conditions of the race, she gets in incredibly well with just 55kg.
Has she forgotten to win? I’m not sure, but I’m happy to find out given she gets a lot in her favour besides the outside barrier which she has the speed to overcome.
| 7. Stretan Angel (9) J: Lachlan Neindorf 55kg 490×0T: Phillip Stokes |
OAK HILL (4) will appreciate racing on a bigger track and dropping in class after never getting clear in the Group 1 Moir Stakes last start.
It was a similar situation for the Team Hayes-trained gelding two starts back when not suited by the on-pace bias in the Listed Carlyon Stakes.
He was ultra impressive when storming around the field on the home turn to win by 1.5 lengths over 1000m at The Valley in a similar class race to this.
A fast tempo will aid his cause, and I expect him to be storming home for Blake Shinn.
| 4. Oak Hill (5) J: Blake Shinn 58kg 1×150T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
PLANET RED (6) returned in great order two starts ago when after enjoying a nice run on speed, he let down powerfully to win over 1200m on the Lakeside track.
Unfortunately, the Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding didn’t have a lot of room last start at The Valley in the Listed Mackenzie Stakes when full of running and finished just under two lengths fourth.
That run was a clear cry for a bigger track and a longer trip, and he gets both here.
He’s well drawn for Mark Zahra and with increased fitness third-up, he should be hard to hold out.
| 6. Planet Red (2) J: Mark Zahra 56kg 1×14T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
VIVID SUN (6) impressed when leading all the way for a 2.3 length win when debuting over 1200m at Ballarat in April.
The Moody & Coleman-trained filly was sent straight to the paddock and recently returned in style over 1300m on the Hillside track.
She settled at the tail before producing a powerful turn of foot to blast past her rivals under hands and heels to win by 2.3 lengths.
That run signaled that she is a classy animal with plenty of upside.
If Blake Shinn can get some cover, then she can run home over the top of them on the back of a strong speed.
| 6. Vivid Sun (8) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 1×1T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
French import SIR DELIUS (9) produced a tradesman-like performance to win the Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap over 2000m at Doomben during the Winter Carnival.
He was sent to the paddock and recently returned in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes where he alerted all and sundry that he was set for a big spring.
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained gelding was caught wide at stages in the mile contest but still finished strongly to just miss running down Lindermann and finish a head second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in distance will suit.
While he’s drawn wide, Craig Williams should be able to use his gate speed to slide across and find a prominent position.
Check out our complete 2025 Underwood Stakes Runner-by-Runner Preview here.
| 9. Sir Delius (10) J: Craig Williams 59kg 8x1x2T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
ANGEL CAPITAL (9) could not have been more impressive when returning to the races for new trainer Chris Waller last start in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes.
Under Damian Lane, the son of Harry Angel settled at the back before storming home to win by an increasing 3.8 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and will love the rise to 1400m as he did when winning the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude on this day last year.
He’s undefeated over this course and distance and while he’s drawn wide, there’s plenty of speed engaged which should see him charging home with just 53.5kg on his back.
| 9. Angel Capital (12) J: Damian Lane 53.5kg 6x1x1T: Chris Waller |
HALF YOURS (17) returned in great order over the unsuitable 1500m at Rosehill last start where he got back a long way from an outside gate before charging to the line for a 3.17 length fifth.
The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding came of age last preparation with three wins and two seconds from his five starts.
His win in the Listed Caloundra Cup was the best of these with him decimating his rivals by 4.5 lengths in an act of pure contempt.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and maps to get the run of the race with no weight on his back.
| 17. Half Yours (2) J: Jamie Melham 54.5kg 11215T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy |
GILDED WATER (8) was very good when resuming over 1800m here last start and will take great benefit from the run.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding, who is owned by HM King Charles III, faced the breeze with 61.5kg but still fought gamely to finish just under a length third to Unlimited.
He meets the winner 3kg better at the weights and will strip fitter second-up.
In his first Australian preparation he bolted in by three lengths over 2400m at Randwick.
Mark Zahra will counter the wide gate by rolling forward and more than likely leading but at the very least finding a forward position.
| 8. Gilded Water (11) J: Mark Zahra 58.5kg 112×3T: Ciaron Maher |