The AFL Grand Final means that once again, Group 1 racing has been pushed to Sunday and I could not be more around it.
The Underwood Stakes headlines an outstanding card of racing at Caulfield and for the first time in a long time, I can legitimately utilise my regular Saturday excuse over three days. “Can you help me clean the house today please?” “Nah, gotta work again sorry.”
The favourite looks extremely difficult to beat and you can find my 2019 Underwood Stakes tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #8 Homesman
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
For mine, Homesman really put the writing on the wall when he won the Feehan first-up and he’ll only be better second-up and further out in trip. Simply put, this horse does not know how to run a bad race and he was simply outstanding last spring, which importantly included a win, in this race specifically. Ben Melham seems to be a lock for Homesman, and he looks likely to record another win at the highest level.
Kiwi raider The Chosen One is another horse that will enjoy good improvement from his smart run for fifth in the Feehan Stakes and I think that he can fight out the finish of the Underwood at a price. The four-year-old son of Savabeel was a standout in his homeland as a three-year-old and crossed the Tasman for a credible fourth placing in the Australian Derby and a comfortable win in the Frank Packer Plate.
Because he is another horse that does not run a bad race. The evergreen veteran has returned to the track in typically strong form this time and while he is yet to record a win through three starts, there’s been a lot to like about every performance. He can slot in virtually anywhere in transit and regardless of the integrity of the track, how hard or slow they’re going up front, he’s going to be finishing off well.
Kenedna is a horse that typically enjoys sharp second-up improvement and she is up to a race like the Underwood. The two-time Group 1 winner has always harboured above-average ability, but she’s been a different horse since transferring to the care of Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace and can make her presence felt in (other than Homesman) a pretty open field.