<p>The Underwood Stakes, run over 1800m at Caulfield, has lost a bit of its “edge” since the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) was moved to be run only the week before. In the past, because of a two-week gap, the Underwood was a perfect stepping stone for the top weight-for-age horses heading towards the Cox Plate.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s no coincidence that the Underwood Stakes, since it was first run in 1924, has been won by 16 horses who went on to win the G1 Cox Plate. The most recent was Ocean Park (2012), who also won the G1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m, Caulfield)&nbsp; in between.&nbsp;</p> <p>Some of the recent Underwood Stakes winners include, the stars Alligator Blood (twice), Zaaki, Russian Camelot and Black Heart Bart (twice).<br /> <br /> Champions to win an Underwood – once known as the Williamstown Stakes and run at Williamstown (1924-38) – include Dundeel, Ocean Park, So You Think, Elvstroem, Northerly (twice), Tie The Knot, Octagonal, Rubiton, Bonecrusher, Sobar, Rain Lover, Tobin Bronze, Lord (twice), Royal Gem, Ajax, Heroic, and the greatest of them all, Phar Lap.</p> <p>Last year’s Underwood Stakes was won by the Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo, who went on to finish second in the G1 Caulfield Cup three weeks later. Buckaroo is one of the Underwood favourites this year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Underwood Stakes 2025 Preview and Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Track: </strong>Caulfield.</p> <p><strong>Distance/type: </strong>1800m. Weight-for-age.</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, 20 September.</p> <p><strong>Total Prizemoney: </strong>$1,000,000.</p> <p><strong>First Prize:</strong> $600,000.</p> <p><strong>Underwood Stakes – Race and Time:</strong> Race 7 (3.40 pm)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Weather and Track</h2> <p>The Caulfield track was rated a Soft 5 on Wednesday. With the BOM predicting up to 5mm of rain on Friday and up to 6mm on Saturday, the surface can be expected to remain in the Soft 5 range. If the showers dodge Caulfield, expect a Good 4.</p> <p>The rail is out 6 metres for the entire circuit. The most recent Caulfield meeting was on August 30 (Memsie Stakes), when the rail was true on a Soft 7 surface. The track played fairly. Expect a similar scenario with this rail position, especially over 1800m.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Trainers</h3> <p>Only three trainers in this year’s race have won an Underwood Stakes in the past, and that includes Ciaron Maher, who has three runners this year – Smokin’ Romans, Middle Earth and Zardozi.</p> <p>Last year, leading trainer Chris Waller won his second Underwood Stakes when Buckaroo dominated his rivals to win by 3.5 lengths. Waller has four of the 12 starters this year – Buckaroo, Land Legend, Moira and Anisette. All are aiming towards the Caulfield Cup. Mick Price (now in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr) also has won two Underwoods, with Heart Of Dreams (2009) and Rubiscent (2007). He and Kent will saddle up Golden Path. The team of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott won their only Underwood Stakes with Alligator Blood in 2022 and 2023, and they have a strong hand with Sir Delius this year.&nbsp;</p> <h2>&nbsp;</h2> <h3>The Jockeys</h3> <p>The legendary jockey Harold Badger holds the record for the most Underwood Stakes wins. His six came in nine years, from 1938 and 1946.</p> <p>Of the 12 jockeys with a ride this year, only Craig Williams and Ben Melham are past winners. The buoyant Williams, who won on Zaaki in 2021, will ride the highly fancied Sir Delius. Melham, who will ride the former English and American mare Anisette, won the 2018 Underwood Stakes on Homesman.</p> <p>Last year’s winner, Buckaroo, was ridden by Brazilian ace Joao Moreira, but this year Blake Shinn will take the ride.&nbsp;</p> <p>Those looking for an omen bet, consider Jordan Childs, who rides Golden Path. Childs’ father, Greg, won two Underwood Stakes on Northerly (2002) and Oliver Twist (2000).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Speed Map</h3> <p>Unlike last week’s Makybe Diva Stakes, which was a dawdling walk, trot, canter and sprint, the Underwood Stakes should be run at a good tempo. The pace will come from noted leaders Smokin’ Romans and Desert Lightning, who are drawn together in barriers 2 and 3 respectively. The other go-forward horses are Moira (barrier 4) Golden Path (barrier 7) and Sir Delius (barrier 11).</p> <p>As with most of the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott-trained horses, Sir Delius, is the horse that will have the pressure on well before the home turn.&nbsp;</p> <p>The race might set up nicely for the swoopers. Last year’s winner Buckaroo, who has a big finish, and the Group 1-winning mare Zardozi, now trained by Ciaron Maher, and who looks well placed in this field. Middle Earth, who is on a Melbourne Cup campaign, will likely settle midfield (at best) on the fence, but expect him to run home strongly off a good pace. Anisette is another suited by a better draw and some likely speed.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Point of Interest</h3> <p><strong>Creating History: </strong>Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice will carry No. 1 saddlecloth. Only two horses have won an Underwood Stakes the year after winning the Cup, and they were two of the greatest – Phar Lap (Underwood in 1931) and Rain Lover, who won the Underwood in 1969, the same year he also won his consecutive second Cup.</p> <p><strong>Looking Ahead: </strong>Most of the Underwood Stakes starters are heading towards the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, apart from Sir Delius, who is earmarked as a likely Cox Plate runner. He’ll need to be sharp at 1800m to be a Cox Plate contender.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <h2>Underwood Stakes 2025 Racing Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Underwood Top Tip&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong>Sir Delius</strong></p> <p>Former high-class French 3YO, who cost a lot of money before joining the Waterhouse-Bott stable. His two runs in Australia have been outstanding. He’s being aimed at the Cox Plate on his way to a Melbourne Cup. He’s the only horse with true Cox Plate aspirations in this field. Importantly, he can go forward.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Underwood Dangers</h3> <p><strong>Buckaroo</strong></p> <p>Underrated. Won this race last year by 3.5 lengths, and then was very stiff not to win the Caulfield Cup and should have finished closer in the Melbourne Cup after getting too far back. His win last year was his third run from a break, and after winning the G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). This time he’s into this race second-up, so he might not be as primed. He can definitely win again.</p> <p><strong>Zardozi</strong></p> <p>VRC Oaks-winning mare who has more class that a lot of her rivals. In a new stable with Ciaron Maher. Her first-up run at Moonee Valley was a beauty. Second to Pride Of Jenni over this course-trip in March. She will enjoy a likely good tempo.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>The Underwood Roughies</strong></h3> <p><strong>Moira</strong></p> <p>G1 Breeders’ Cup winner, so she’s got the class. Nice run outside the leader at the Valley. Her conditions gave out late. Should be nearly her peak and she’ll get the gun run.</p> <p><strong>Anisette</strong></p> <p>Stablemate to Moira and has similar high-class North American form. Nice effort working home late in the G2 Lawrence (1400m) and has since trialled well. Ben Melham rides from a good draw. Over her true odds.</p> <p><strong>Middle Earth</strong></p> <p>Ciaron Maher’s number one Melbourne Cup horse. Loved his late work home from last over 2000m first-up at Caulfield under 62kg. Has the class and although back in distance, he’s going to get a cosy midfield run on the fence. Don’t be shocked if he wins.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Underwood Stakes Same Race Multi (combination)</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Sir Delius &amp; Buckaroo </strong>– Top Two</p> <p><strong>Zardozi </strong>– Top Four</p> <p><strong>Moira, Anisette </strong>– Top Five</p> <p><strong>Middle Earth</strong> – Top Six</p>