Caulfield Tips for The Underwood Stakes 2023

Multiple Group 1 winner ‘Alligator Blood’ will line up as the $3.40 favourite to defend his crown in this year's Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

The Waterhouse/Bott trained runner is on a 7-day back-up after finishing 2nd in the Makybe Diva Stakes, and avoids 'Mr Brightside' for the first time this preparation.

However, he runs into another potential superstar in ‘Without A Fight’.

Hugh Bowman makes his anticpated return to Australia and has his first Group 1 ride aboard the Chris Waller-trained 4yo ‘Lindermann’.

It shapes as a cracking edition of the 1800m contest, with different form-lines to take into account as many of these runners lock horns for the first time.

One horse stands above the rest however.

 

 

Track Conditions

With fine weather forecasted in Melbourne, expect the track to be a Good 4 with the running rail out 6m the entire circuit.

This will see the track play even, with slight disadvantages to horses who settle towards the rear of the field drawn inside (1-3) or outside (8+) barriers.

 

Caulfield Race 9 – Underwood Stakes (1800m)

The Map

Unlike last week, Alligator Blood (8) won’t be afforded a soft lead.

Expect Lindermann (3) to fire out of the gates and find the front on the rail, ahead of Right You Are (2) and Vow And Declare (4), who will attempt to settle in behind the speed.

Tuvalu (13) has a tricky draw to overcome and jockey Jamie Kah will have two options. Either follow Alligator Blood across to run on-pace, or take him back to settle near Without A Fight (11) at the rear of the field.

Look for Soulcombe (5) to be towards the back before dashing home late.

 

 

The Favourite

Alligator Blood was terrific in last week's Makybe Diva Stakes, finishing 1.5L second to arguably the best race horse in the country right now in ‘Mr Brightside’.

The defending champ comes into this at peak fitness third-up (5:2-0-0) and steps up to 1800m.

This lead-up mirrors his preparation from last year's successful Underwood campaign, where he was third-up and took on the 1800m for the first time.

Trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott are in flying form, with 25 winners from their last 100 runners and Damien Oliver remains aboard for the ride.

It will be a nervous watch early, until he takes his place outside of the likely leader Lindermann. When he gets there, he will be extremely tough to catch.

 

Cody's Best Bet Tips

For the reasons above, I can't see anything running down Alligator Blood.

Most of his main rivals will be back in the field, leaving a margin too big to reel in.

Without Mr Brightside to contend with, expect 'Gator' to be the first horse since Northerly in 2002 to notch up back-to-back Underwoord victories.

 

Right You Are looks an excellent value play in the race.

He will get the gun run behind the speed and gets Ben Allen back aboard for the ride. The gun hoop has a win and a placing from 2 rides on the horse.

He's had 3 runs at this distance for 2 wins and a placing, and his first-up run at this track behind ‘Jimmy The Bear’ was excellent with the big weight of 60.5kg.

This is the toughest race he has faced in his career, but he's in flying form and will be around the mark at the end.

 

Without A Fight is going onto bigger and better things this Spring campaign. While he was super impressive winning first-up over 1800m a few months ago, this looks to be a bridge too far for him.

Look for him to be flashing home late and scream ‘back me next start' when passing the post.

 

Tuvalu is racing in good form and finished not far off Mr Brightside two starts back in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at this track.

He has a perfect 2 wins from 2 starts when third-up, and his last run at 1800m resulted in a win (albeit in BM-70 grade).

Expect him to be charging home late to round out the top 4.

 

1st Alligator Blood

2nd Right You Are

3rd Without A Fight

4th Tuvalu

There are loads of Caulfield tips for Saturday's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at thegreattipoff.com.