The Underwood Stakes – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

This is a good edition of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes with plenty of different form lines and betting angles.  Alligator Blood has come up favourite.  He is backing up from last weeks Makybe Diva Stakes where he finished runner up to Mr Brightside.  Next in the betting is Without A Fight.  He’s an exciting galloper and returns to the races en route to the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup. There are several of them on the next line of betting.

1. Vow And Declare

2019 Melbourne Cup Winner.  Will need the run first up.

2. Alligator Blood

Multiple Group 1 winner.  Is on the quick back up after finishing second in the Makybe Diva Stakes last week.  He will be up on speed and is hard to knock.

3. Moúnga

Very capable galloper on his day but hasn’t fire in his two runs this spring and gets no favours from the gate.

4. Nonconformist

He hit the line well first up in the Memsie and maps to be closer from the good draw.  Place chance.

5. Tuvalu

He ran well here first up, then wasn’t beaten far when third in the Feehan.  Chance.

6. Smokin’ Romans

Boxed on well here first up in an easier contest.  Senior jockey on is a tick.  Don’t discount.

7. Alenquer

Resumes with the blinkers on and the gelding operation.  I can’t have him off what he did in the Autumn.

8. Without A Fight

Lightly raced seven year old important who started $12 in last years Melbourne Cup.  Had two runs in the Brisbane Winter and was dominant winning both of them.  Likely to to be giving them a start here but he is a quality horse capable of running them down.

9. Right You Are

Ran well here first up in the same race Smokin’ Romans comes through.  Is yet to do it at Group 1 level but does map for a soft run in behind the speed.

10. Soulcombe

Showed an extraordinary turn of foot to win the Heatherlie Handicap here first up.  Any improvement off that and he can be right there in the finish.  Looks a live Cups chance.

11. Duke De Sessa

Was a better run than the tenth in the form guide suggests first up.  Likely to go right back from the wide alley which will surely make it too hard to win but I’m interested to see where he heads third up.  He’s got a decent race in him this spring.

12. Bank Maur

Ran well first up in the Memsie and can settle closer here.  Place chance

13. Lindermann

Was a big improver second up in the Chelmsford.    Should find the front with the services of Hugh Bowman.  Rough hope if he gets it soft enough in front.

14. Attrition

Talented four year old on the rise.  Charged late in the Feehan following a good run first up in the Lawrence. Barrier 15 is my knock.  Will need a gun steer from Melham.

15. Duais

Draws a lovely gate here third up.  Her best would win this.

16. Lunar Flare

On track for the Melbourne Cup.  Will be getting back and work to the line.

17. Alaskan God – 1st Emerg

Duel accepted in the Naturalism.  He ran super in the Feehan first up.  Doubt he can win but is one to consider for multiples.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
2 Alligator Blood	2 Alligator Blood
8 Without A Fight	8 Without A Fight
13 Lindermann	10 Soulcombe
10 Soulcombe	9 Right You Are

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2 Alligator Blood
2nd	5 Tuvalu	1 length
3rd	15 Duais	1.2 lengths
4th	10 Soulcombe	1.4 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings: 11. Duke De Sessa, 17e. Alaskan God.