What: Group 1 Underwood Stakes
Where: Caulfield, Melbourne
When: Saturday, September 26, 4:05pm
Place a win or each way bet on the Underwood or Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes this Saturday and if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd, Sportsbet will refund your bet!
Race 7 – Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m)
Last-start winner Fawkner was impressive when winning the Group 1 Makybe Diva and it has a very good second-up record. The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding has won four from six second up and it looked to have gone to another level at Flemington last start. It likes this track with two wins from three starts and punters have backed it confidently from $3.60 to $3.50.
Contributer wasn't itself last start, but more is expected now and punters can get almost double their money. The John O'Shea-trained import finished fifth in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes, but was over three lengths behind The Cleaner. It won its only start on this track with bodes well, and the $4.40 available is the best price you will see for Contributer for awhile.
The Cleaner is the people's favourite and it rewarded the faithful by winning at odds of $5.50. It will likely start a touch longer here as it is currently quoted at $6.50, but popular public horses generally get well backed late in the market. It has never won in three starts at Caulfield, but it gets the inside draw and it will be the likely leader. Each way chance.
Race 2 – Inglis Cup (2000m)
Anthony Cummings has a smart rising stayer with Muraqaba. The four-year-old has had three starts for three wins and every run has been a step up in class. This is yet another big rise, but it won very well last time out at Canterbury and the punters have backed it solidly. It opened at $3, drifted out to $3.30, but has since been backed into $3.10. Good winning chance despite having to carry 56kg.
Kansas Sunflower gets the benefit of a light weight and it has been the most well-supported runner in the field. The Luke Oliver-trained mare produced a nice finish to run fifth at Pakenham last time out, and its prior runs were full of merit. The daughter of Mastercraftsman finished second behind Manageress in the Rivette Final and it almost scored two back on this track. It opened in the market at $3.80 and has come into $3.30.
It's fair to say Loved Up has been very disappointing in two runs since winning the Inglis Guineas at Scone. The Brett Cavanough-trained mare has taken on group level in both starts this season, but its best finish was an 11th last start in the Group 2 Let's Elope. It has had support in the market and bookmakers opened it at a very short price of $5.50. Punters want something a touch longer, so it has drifted out to $6.50.
Tip: Muraqaba to win ($3.10) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 5 – Schweppes Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m)
The Peter Moody-trained Pasadena Girl produced a stellar run for second behind Stay With Me in the Listed Atlantic Jewel. The Group 1 Champagne Stakes winner drew wide and was forced to drop back from the alley, but it flew home late to miss by 1.5 lengths. We thought it would be shorter in the market seeing as it has drawn barrier three, but we'll happily take the $5 available.
Stay With Me holds favouritism, but punters didn't want its opening price of $3.30. The last start winner has since drifted out to $3.90 and it might not even start as the favourite. The daughter of Street Cry has been impressive in winning its last two and the rise in distance should suit perfectly. Does get back in the running so it will need some luck from the wide barrier draw.
Miss Gunpowder has been well respected in the market, having won by two lengths last start. The Phillip Stokes-trained filly has won three from four and the only failure to date was an encouraging third behind the talented Petis Filous in the Group 3 Quizette. Its form looks very good for this, but the wide draw of 10 won't help its chances. $4.80 currently available.
Tip: Pasadena Girl to win ($5) at Bet365.com
Race 8 – Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m)
Disposition is coming off an impressive win in the Listed Tontonan Stakes and it has finished out of the money on only one occasion from nine starts. The Lee and Anthony Freeman-trained gelding has always had its sights on a Group 1 win and this could be its best chance. It's a very big field so drawing barrier three with Damien Oliver aboard is a big assist. Has been well specked in the market at $3.60.
We've been harping on about how Under The Louvre will score a big win this spring, and it could well come in this race. The Robert Smerdon-trained horse was desperately unlucky to not win last start in the Group 2 Bobby Lewis, and the rise in distance works heavily in its favour. It likes to get back and if it receives a clear passage in the straight, watch for it late. It opened at $6.50 and has quickly tumbled into $5.
Stratum Star has been well backed at $7 despite drawing the car park in barrier 18. The talented Darren Weir-trained horse flashed home late to narrow miss winning the Group 1 Memsie and that form should stack up nicely for this. It has a Group 1 winner feel about it and if it can get some early luck in the running, it provides some good value for multiples.
Tip: Under The Louvre to win ($5) at Sportsbet.com.au