Underwood Stakes 2022: Runner-by-runner preview, tips and betting strategy

This year's Underwood Stakes is a case of quality over quantity with just six horses set to face the starter. The track was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday. Fine weather forecast on Friday and raceday.

Alligator Blood is likely to lead from Zaaki or Mr Brightside. Nonconformist probably ends up four-back on the fence in front of Mo'unga and I'm Thunderstruck.

Zaaki won this race last year. He was a $1.18 favourite there but faces stiffer opposition this time around.

Neasham won the Tramway Stakes last year. Zaaki won't be far behind Neashami.

He won't have it all his own way like he did last year. His last run on a good track was ordinary. I'm Thunderstruck and Mr Brightside are both on an upward spiral.

I'm Thunderstruck was beaten twice by Zaaki and Mr Brightside last preparation. He finished 2nd to Snapdancer in the G1 Memsie Stakes and knocked off Alligator Blood in G 1 Makybe Diva Stake last start.

He's won both of his races since resuming. He'll get back from the wide gate. Traffic won't be an issue for him in the small field.

He maps to finish last in the small field. His only previous run beyond 1600m saw him finish over 6L from Zaaki.

Alligator blood is back to his best after his G1 Stradbroke win. I'm Thunderstruck won the G2 Makybe Diva Stakes last start on Soft 7.

He's fit and in form and will probably win or finish second in the small field. He's going Good 4 to Soft 5.

He's run very well over a mile but has never raced beyond that distance.

Kiwi import MR BRIGHTIDE has been a revelation since joining the Hayes camp. He went from winning a Geelong maiden to the G1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) in the space of a year.

He savaged the line in the Feehan Stakes last start. He has tactical speed.

He beat I'm Thunderstruck in the Doncaster by 0.58L. He meets him some 5kg worse here for a 0,58 L margin.

Mo'unga was terrible first-up in the G1 Winx Stakes (1400m) but much better last start when 3rd to I'm Thunderstruck and Alligator Blood in Makybe. He did win the Rosehill Guineas (2000m), coming off a placing over a mile.

He won the G1 Rosehill Guineas when third-up and almost knocked off Incentivise in last year's Makybe Diva.

I'm Thunderstruck is not going well enough and has finished off the winner at his last three starts.

Nonconformist won the Caulfield Stakes last year but his two runs this preparation have been below his usual level. He was ridden too close in the Makybe Diva last start and finished over 8L from I'm Thunderstruck.

He was beaten in the Caulfield Stakes last year and finished second in Caullfield Cup.

He's been beaten 6.15L and 8.25L in two runs since resuming. It's hard to see him sprinting past Zaaki and Mr Brightside from three or four-back on the fence.

$100 bet on Zaaki is the best bet.