2025 Underwood Stakes Day Tips & Preview

NATION’S CALL returns to the races.

The Robbie Griffiths trained son of Frankel made a big impression in his first Australian campaign as he began to work through his grades with ease.

He didn’t have a lot go his way last preparation but was racing well and the way to hit the line in a recent jump out suggests he’s come back in top order.

He has won first up over the mile previously and with Blake Shinn to steer off the inside draw, he’ll be in it for a long way.

PARADISE CITY comes off an eye catching up performance over 1000m on the Lakeside and there’s a lot to like about her here.

Off a wide draw, the daughter of Deep Field was restrained to the tail and when brought to the outside in the straight, she powered home late to claim third.

She normally takes a run to come to hand, and she’ll certainly appreciate the rise to 1400m.

A five-time winner, she knows how to get the job done and the form around her is solid.

Luke Cartwright stays in the saddle and his 3kg claim sees her in nicely at the weights.

The only concern is the wide draw, but she has proven herself a very versatile galloper.

STRETAN ANGEL was found to have pulled up with a slow recovery when resuming in the Cockram Stakes and I think she can bounce back here.

It’s been a while between drinks for the Phillip Stokes trained mare but all five of her runs came at Group 1 level last preparation, where she was placed in both the Lightning and Newmarket Handicaps.

A class mare, she should find this easier than what she’s been contesting, and she gets in beautifully under the set weights and penalties conditions of the race.

She boasts a terrific second up record and Lachlan Neindorf knows her well.

OAK HILL hasn’t had much luck at his past two starts and he’s sure to appreciate getting on a bigger track.

The Per Incanto gelding kicked off his campaign in fine style, with a dominant victory over 1000m at Moonee Valley but things didn’t go his way when he started a short priced favourite in the Norman Carlyon at his following outing.

It was a similar story last start in the Moir Stakes where he ended up back at the tail and found plenty of traffic in the straight.

He drops back in grade and barrier 5 should see him settle in striking distance.

He’s yet to salute past 1000m but the way he’s been finishing off his races suggests it will suit, and Blake Shinn stays aboard.

PLANET RED comes off a very encouraging performance in the Listed McKenzie Stakes at the Valley and I think he’ll relish stepping out to 1400m here in the 2025 Caulfield Guineas Prelude.

The Price / Kent trained son of Admire Mars won well on debut at Pakenham back in May before a break and he returned in top order last month, saluting first up on the Lakeside.

His latest outing, over the 1200m saw him settle back in the field off a tricky draw and after finding traffic in the early part of the straight, he charged through late into fourth.

The low draw can see settle in a prominent position under Mark Zahra and I think he’ll prove too strong for them.

VIVID SUN remains unbeaten in two raceday appearances and she’s done it in dominant fashion.

A daughter of The Autumn Sun, the filly stamped herself as one to follow with a 2.2 length all-the-way win at Ballarat back in April prior to a spell.

Resuming over 1300m on the Sandown Hillside earlier this month, she stormed home after settling at the tail to again post a 2.2 length margin on the line.

She still did a few things wrong so there’s improvement to come and off the wide draw, she’ll get back and be strong late.

BUCKEROO hit the line strongly when making his return in the Memsie Stakes and he looks on track for big campaign.

The winner of this race last year before going on to finish second in both the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup, there’s no doubting his class and he’ll certainly relish the rise in trip.

With three weeks since that first up outing, the son of Fastnet Rock has been back to the trials so he’s primed for the 1800m.

Three of his five career victories have been second up and with Blake Shinn to take the reins, I think he’s the one to beat.

ANGEL CAPITAL could not have been more impression when resuming in Listed Chautauqua Stakes at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago.

In what his first run for new trainer Chris Waller, the Harry Angel entire settled at the rear before making a sweeping round around them and extending away to score by over two lengths.

His fifth win and just his eighth career start, he’s always shown plenty of natural talent and looks to have returned bigger and better.

He’s unbeaten in two appearances over this track and distance and with the allocation of just 53.5kg, there’s a lot to like about him.

BIRDMAN strips fitter for the two runs back and looks ready to peak in the Naturalism Stakes.

The Chris Waller trained gelding was beaten only narrowly when resuming on the Spring Preview at Rosehill and is it was a solid effort last start in the Chelmsford.

He had to switch across the heels of Ceolwulf, who didn’t let down as expected, before closing off nicely into fifth.

The Irish import made his way down under late last year and whilst he’s yet salute here, he turned out some very encouraging performances in the Autumn and I think he’ll continue to improve.

The rise in trip will certainly suit and he draws to get the right run under Damian Lane.

GILDED WATER kicked off his Spring campaign with a solid performance over 1800m here and he will have taken plenty of benefit from the run.

Settling outside the leader, he travelled well under the 61.5kgs impost but just had the race-fit Unlimited get the better of him late.

Prepared by Ciaron Maher for His Majesty The King, the son of Fastnet Rock wasted no name in stamping himself one to follow last preparation, in what was his first on Australian soil.

Lightly raced, with just the eight career starts, he looks a very progressive stayer and with that first up run under his belt, the slight rise to 2000m is ideal.

He drops 3kgs and has the early speed to overcome the wide draw.