Underwood Stakes day at Caulfield Tips, Race Previews and Selections

The Group 1 Underwood Stakes headlines another outstanding ten-race program at Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday.

With ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup going on the line in the MRC Foundation Cup, the traditional path towards the Neds Caulfield Guineas continuing in the Prelude and plenty more, this really is one of the best days of Spring Carnival action.

Interesting start to Underwood Stakes Day with a few live chances engaged, and I am going to kick off my day with something on Shock ‘Em Ova.

Shock ‘Em Ova returned to action with a fine performance to finish second, beaten a head by No Surrender in a BM70 race at Sandown late last month, and he is yet to finish worse than second at this point of his preparation.

Perfect Saturday metro race for him in my opinion, and Craig Williams can get on the board early.

Suggested Bet: No. 3 Shock ‘Em Ova

Living Legends 4CYTE Handicap (2000m) – 12:40pm

The consistent First Immortal goes around in Race 2 on Underwood Stakes Day and looks to be a key winning chance again.

First Immortal won five of six starts leading up to a break in July of this year, including a couple over 2000m and 2500m respectively at Flemington.

He returned to finish second, beaten just over a length by a really impressive Ain’tnodeeldun at The Valley a couple of weeks ago, and with the benefit of that run under his belt, I’m confident he can go one better on Saturday.

Suggested Bet: No. 2 First Immortal

Pancare Recycal Plate (1200m) – 1:15pm

Red Card has opened a clear and justifiable favourite in betting for Race 3 at Caulfield on Saturday, and she’s going to take a power of beating again.

The Ribchester mare has hardly put a hoof wrong since debuting, recording six wins and two second placings from her eleven career starts and finding form around some quality opposition.

She justified a huge go in betting first-up at Rosehill a fortnight ago, and something like this does look the next logical step for her to take.

Suggested Bet: No. 1 Red Card

Here For The Horses Handicap (1400m) – 1:50pm

I’m keen to stick with last-start winner Nunthorpe when she goes around third-up on Underwood Stakes Day.

Nunthorpe went to the paddock after finishing third in the Kewney Stakes back in March, and she flashed late to only just miss in BM70 company first-up this time.

She converted that performance into an eye-catching win here at Caulfield earlier this month, and any improvement on that effort would see her into the finish again.

Suggested Bet: No. 4 Nunthorpe

Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) – 2:25pm

I thought that Oz Empress would relish the conditions of this race third-up from a break.

The Exceed And Excel filly returned to action to finish second, beaten less than half a length by Inhibitions at The Valley last month, before finishing within two lengths of Charm Stone in the Listed Atlantic Jewel last time out.

That form line is obviously very good, while the rise in trip this week looks as though it will suit this galloper.

She’s drawn a peach and we can have an each way play at the price ($9.50 at publish).

Suggested Bet: No. 9 Oz Empress

Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) – 3pm

The Testa Rossa Stakes looks to be another open race with plenty of winning chances engaged, including Corner Pocket.

He has been a model of consistency for Lindsay Smith throughout his career, and we were with Corner Pocket when he returned to action for third over 1200m at The Valley a fortnight ago.

He boasts an excellent second-up record, he drops slightly in the weights this week, and I think that this is a really nice black type target for him.

Suggested Bet: No. 5 Corner Pocket

Group 3 Neds Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) – 3:40pm

I was keen to take on Steparty first-up in the McKenzie Stakes, but he proved to be way too good for them again, and the Neds Caulfield Guineas Prelude looks a really nice second point of call.

The Artie Schiller colt stamped himself as one to watch by debuting in late autumn for three-consecutive wins, all progressively harder and all reasonably easy performances.

There’s no doubt that the McKenzie Stakes was his toughest assignment prior to this one, but he took that in his stride as well, and I now have to stay with him until he gives me a reason not to.

Suggested Bet: No. 3 Steparty

Group 2 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) – 4:20pm

Floating Artist returned to winning form via an impressive effort at The Valley last time out, and I am confident that he can gain ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup by winning the MRC Foundation Cup on Saturday.

The Nathaniel gelding announced himself to the Australasian racing community when arriving in the spring of 2021 and winning three races in succession before ending his campaign fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

He was fair in two starts back from a long break in the autumn of this year, but has been a far better horse this time, highlighted by his dominant win last month.

2000m is ideal and I think this is a really winnable race for him.

Suggested Bet: No. 3 Floating Artist

Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) – 4:55pm

This is one of the most open editions of the Underwood Stakes that I can remember, and some really nice horses will chase Group 1 success, and their share in $750,000 at Caulfield on Saturday.

I’ve put Soulcombe on top at a double-figure price, but be sure to check out my full race preview and 2023 Underwood Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.

Suggested Bet: No. 10 Soulcombe

Rule Henley Homes Sprint (1100m) – 5:25pm

This is a strong way to end Underwood Stakes Day, but something of a tough one from a betting perspective.

That being said, I’m a big fan of Midwest, and I think he’ll be very strong second on Saturday.

The Team Freedman-trained sprinter has missed placing only twice in eighteen career starts to date, winning on seven occasions and finding form around plenty of above-average horses.

He was only denied by a very good Asfoora first-up in the Group 3 The Heath here at the beginning of the month, and he is drawn a peach this week under a claiming Wiremu Pinn.