The feature race at Caulfield racecourse is the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. The race is to be run over 1800m with the current well backed favourite being Manighar who has shortened from $3.40 into his current quote of $2.50. We quite like a runner at odds so view our Underwood Stakes tips and runner by runner preview.
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Brought to you by Underwood Stakes 2012
1. MANIGHAR
Won four of his seven starts last prep, including three Group 1 races and appears to have resumed exactly where he left off given his unlucky second to Southern Speed in Makybe Diva G2 a fortnight ago. Impossible to fault his form over this year, step up suits and is a proven WFA performer.
2. WINCHESTER
8yo that has seen almost every corner of the world in his 25 starts to date and makes his Australian debut here. Hasn’t raced since November last year and trainer has stated that he is not expected too much from him here.
3. SINCERO
He was very good in when winning the Memsie first up here three weeks back ahead of Happy Trails, who franked the form by winning the Data Tan Chin Nam last week. Drew perfectly in four last start but much wider here and no surprise to see him drift in the early markets from $4.80 – $5.50 given that he hasn’t won past 1600m.
4. VOILA ICI
Made his Australian debut for Pete Moody in the Memsie and, from his wide gate, was pushed forward to a handy position. Didn’t have the change of gears required late and whacked away finishing sixth (beaten 5.2). Step up in distance suits but happy to watch him have another go.
5. MALUCKYDAY
Ran second in the 2010 Melbourne Cup but from limited opportunities since, hasn’t been able to recapture that form. Was first up off a year’s break in the Memsie and given that fact, wasn’t all bad finishing eighth (beaten 6.6)
6. NIWOT
Resumed in the Memsie as well but never got warm over the 1400m trip and finished a well beaten twelfth (beaten 7.8). Dour type who has, from 12 starts short of 2000m, only won two. He’ll need this one and longer.
7. DRUNKEN SAILOR
Former European galloper who put together some nice runs in his first Australian prep earlier this year, including a Listed win at Flemington (2600m) and a third in the G1 BMW behind Manigher and Americain He ran third behind Rainbow Styling when first up last prep over this track and distance.
8. DECEMBER DRAW
Resumed in the Makybe Diva after a layoff of near a year and, from his inside draw, raced with limited room over the final stages. Better for that run but from his wide draw, probably best to give him one. Has drifted in early markets from $8 to $9.00
9. MAWINGO
Has a win over Manighar to his credit in the G1 Doomben Cup during the winter. Did expect more from him first up in the Makybe Diva than what he produced. Moved into the race in good style around the turn but struggled thereafter and finished last, beaten 8.4. Hard to have on that run.
10. SANAGAS
American import who offered little when making his Australian debut in the Memsie Stakes where he finished a well beaten thirteenth. All previous runs have been at 2000m + so don’t expect much from him here either.
11. ILLO
Has had mixed results at his seven Australian starts to date. On his best form, he can produces runs such as he did over this course and trip in February, running second to Lucas Cranach in the G2 Peter Young. Resumed in a Listed race at Flemington a fortnight ago over 1400m.
12. ZABEELIONAIRE
A 4yo who has won three from thirteen including an open event here at Caulfield with his most recent victory being in the G1 SA Derby (2500m). Held his ground in the run home when resuming in the G2 Makybe Diva (beaten 5.1) but hard to see him turning the tables on those who finished in front of him then.
13. OCEAN PARK
NZ’er who cam across as a 3yo for a tilt at the Randwick Guineas (luckless 8th) and Rosehill Guineas (2nd to Laser Hawk) before going for a spell. Returned to racing with a good win in NZ three weeks back. Has plenty of potential and doubt we’ve seen the best of him yet, from his draw with Boss aboard, would have to be given a chance.
14. SOUTHERN SPEED
The only ‘lady’ in the race who is coming off a nose victory in the Makybe Diva over the unlucky Manighar last start. Had every chance on that occasion and may have to work a little harder from her awkward draw today but can’t be denied a winning chance.
OVERVIEW
Hard to determine the pace here as I fancy a few of the leading chances, such as Manighar, Southern Speed and Sinero, may all want to go forward and the first furlong or two could be well contested. Manighar has been heavily supported ever since markets opened, tightening from $3.40 to $2.60 with Sportsbet and, off his first up run in the Makybe (which he should’ve easily won), the weight of money is impossible to ignore. Think Ocean Park might be a horse with his best form in front of him given some of his three year old efforts and has obviously came back in good style judging by his first up when back home and should be the main danger.
