The third Group 1 race in as many days headlines another big day of metro racing at Sandown on Sunday!
What the Underwood Stakes field lacks in volume, it certainly makes up for in quality. Zaaki, I’m Thunderstruck and Alligator Blood are all engaged, but there is a case to be made for every galloper!
There are nine winners to be found in total and you can find all of my 2022 Underwood Stakes Day Tips below.
Botany was too bad to be true last time, and given that this looks to be one of the most open races on Underwood Stakes Day, I’m keen to have a little each-way play at a big price ($35 at publish).
The Peter Moody-trained mare was an eye-catching winner at Cranbourne when resuming this time, but did fail to beat a runner home here last time out.
Fitter third-up and from the good draw, I think she has claims.
Another one at a big price that I like the look of earlier in the day is He’s The Real Deel ($26 at publish).
He’s The Real Deel has been a good horse for the Matthew Brown yard throughout his career, and he has found form around some decent gallopers in some decent races.
He need his first run back when eighth, beaten five lengths at Caulfield when resuming this time, but he did keep his best work for late, and he is open to plenty of improvement.
We’re looking at $7 the field in this contest at publish and I’ve landed on one of the joint favourites, Groovy Kinda Love.
Groovy Kinda Love hasn’t won for a little while, but she has returned some nice efforts, and was fair through the line when sixth in a similar race at Caulfield last month.
She’s been freshened and Luke Nolen has options in running from the rails draw.
It is something of a speculative bet, but I can’t unsee Counttheheadlights impressive fresh effort last time in, and I think that he can produce something similar first-up on Sunday.
The I Am Invincible colt was a consistent performer throughout his two-year-old prep, and finished midfield in the Inglis Sires’ and Champagne Stakes in the autumn.
He’s drawn to receive a lovely run under Johnny Allen and is another whom I think is over the odds at his current price ($17 at publish).
Glint Of Hope is a dual acceptor in the Stocks Stakes at The Valley on Friday night, but I will absolutely be with her if this is the option that Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young elect to take.
The Deep Impact mare continued to improve with racing last time in, culminating in her first win at the highest level in the Australasian Oaks.
I thought the Queensland Oaks was clearly an afterthought, and she strips fitter for a decent fresh effort in the Let’s Elope a fortnight ago.
The Moody stable is flying, and Waltz On By looks a key winning chance in the Jim Moloney Stakes.
Waltz On By’s condition just gave out a little when she finished sixth, beaten four lengths in the Quezette Stakes first-up, but she took plenty of improvement into a smart win here last time.
Fitter third-up, this looks the perfect opportunity for her to transition back to black type company, and Luke Nolen enhances her claims.
Only six horses have accepted into this year’s Underwood Stakes field, but they are some of our best, and there is a case to be made for all of them!
I’ve put Zaaki on top, but check out my full race preview and complete 2022 Underwood Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
I am a big fan of Pinstriped and the Sandown Stakes is the perfect race for him.
The Street Boss gelding stormed onto the scene during his three-year-old campaign, winning his first three starts, including the Kevin Hayes Stakes, before running a luckless fifth in the Australian Guineas.
He couldn’t have done much more without winning The Sofitel first-up this time, and he is my best bet on the program this week.
I Wish I Win will take a power of beating in the Testa Rossa Stakes.
The son of Savabeel gelding was excellent in New Zealand during the early stages of his career and ended his tenure abroad third in Group 1 company.
He gave his rivals windburn over 1400m at Caulfield on debut in Australia, and he will only improve for that effort.