19/9 Underwood Stakes Day

[Nuke]

Underwood Stakes (cracking field!) day at Caulfield, big day at Rosehill as well! Anyway, here's a look at the two big ones in Melbourne


UNDERWOOD STAKES

No Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Penalty Handicapper Rating
1 EFFICIENT (NZ) John Sadler Nicholas Hall 12 59 119
2 VIEWED Bart Cummings Brad Rawiller 59 11 115
3 MALDIVIAN (NZ) Mark Kavanagh Craig Williams 13 59 119
4 FIUMICINO (NZ) Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 15 59 113
5 MASTER O'REILLY (NZ) Danny O'Brien Noel Callow 1 59 110
6 SCENIC SHOT Daniel Morton Shane Scriven 7 59 115
7 DOURO VALLEY Danny O'Brien 8 59 110
8 KIBBUTZ (NZ) Jarrod McLean 6 59 106
9 C'EST LA GUERRE (NZ) John Sadler Steven Arnold 14 59 111
10 RED RULER (NZ) John Sargent Danny Nikolic 3 59 106
11 VIGOR (NZ) Danny O'Brien Damien Oliver 5 59 110
12 WHOBEGOTYOU Mark Kavanagh Michael Rodd 10 58 114
13 HEART OF DREAMS Mick Price Craig Newitt 4 58 108
14 PREDATORY PRICER Paul Murray Steven King 2 58 109
15 ZARITA (NZ) Pat Hyland Dwayne Dunn 9 57 107
16 TYPHOON TRACY Peter G Moody Luke Nolen 16 56 108
17e MACO'REILLY (NZ) David Haworth Glen Boss 18 59 110
18e ZAGREB David Hayes Chris Symons 19 59 102
19e MISS DARCEY Anthony Cummings Mark Zahra 17 56 92

35012 WHOBEGOTYOU 2.60 1.36
35013 HEART OF DREAMS 7.00 2.37
35011 VIGOR 7.00 2.37
35016 TYPHOON TRACY 8.00 2.60
35014 PREDATORY PRICER 9.00 2.82
35015 ZARITA 10.00 3.05
35003 MALDIVIAN 15.00 4.20
35005 MASTER OREILLY 26.00 6.71
35009 CEST LA GUERRE 26.00 6.71
35002 VIEWED 26.00 6.71
35001 EFFICIENT 31.00 7.85
35010 RED RULER 31.00 7.85
35006 SCENIC SHOT 35.00 8.77
35017 MACOREILLY (1E) 61.00 14.71
35007 DOURO VALLEY 81.00 19.28
35018 ZAGREB (2E) 101.00 23.85
35004 FIUMICINO 101.00 23.85
35019 MISS DARCEY (3E) 201.00 46.71
35008 KIBBUTZ 301.00 69.57


SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES

No Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Penalty Handicapper Rating
1 ORANGE COUNTY (NZ) Brian Mayfield-Smith Mark Zahra 18 58 109
2 CHASM Heath Conners Noel Callow 1 57 106
3 GOLD SALUTE Mark Riley Mark Pegus 4 56 104
4 MR BARITONE (NZ) Michael Moroney Blake Shinn 8 56 103
5 PINNACLES Rick Hore-Lacy Steven Arnold 5 56 104
6 MIDNIGHT MUSTANG Tony Noonan Brad Rawiller 11 55.5 102
7 TURFFONTEIN Anthony Cummings Glen Boss 13 55.5 102
8 JUNGLE RULER Peter White Darren Gauci 17 55 100
9 MASKED ASSASSIN Peter G Moody Luke Nolen 9 55 101
10 RAFFAELLO Mark Kavanagh Michael Rodd 7 55 100
11 RAHEEB Mick Price Craig Newitt 14 55 100
12 STICKPIN (NZ) Brian Mayfield-Smith Steven King 15 55 101
13 VON COSTA DE HERO David Hayes Damien Oliver 12 55 100
14 PILLAR OF HERCULES Peter G Moody Craig Williams 10 54.5 99
15 RIOS (NZ) Danny O'Brien Danny Nikolic 2 54.5 99
16 FAMOUS ROMAN Brian Mayfield-Smith Chris Symons 16 53.5 97
17 ALL AMERICAN David Hayes Nicholas Hall 6 53.5 95
18 ESTEE Lee Freedman 3 53.5 92

35060 RAFFAELLO 5.00 2.00
35053 GOLD SALUTE 7.50 2.62
35068 ESTEE 8.50 2.87
35052 CHASM 8.50 2.87
35051 ORANGE COUNTY 9.00 3.00
35061 RAHEEB 11.00 3.50
35059 MASKED ASSASSIN 12.00 3.75
35057 TURFFONTEIN 13.00 4.00
35063 VON COSTA DE HERO 15.00 4.50
35056 MIDNIGHT MUSTANG 16.00 4.75
35054 MR BARITONE 16.00 4.75
35065 RIOS 17.00 5.00
35064 PILLAR OF HERCULES 18.00 5.25
35067 ALL AMERICAN 21.00 6.00
35066 FAMOUS ROMAN 26.00 7.25
35062 STICKPIN 41.00 11.00
35058 JUNGLE RULER 51.00 13.50
35055 PINNACLES 51.00 13.50

 

[Pixies]

Whobe for me, can't really see anything else winning, even though its a fantastic field. Might have a bit on PP E/W, and will be hoping SS comes home strong.


Is the Sir Rupert a G1 or 2, pretty sad looking field, maybe VCDH.

 

[Nuke]

Yeah, I'm probably having a blonde moment, but this would have to be close to the best Underwood Stakes that I've seen. Absolutely mouth-watering race.

Have now updated first post for Underwood with barriers - didn't realise they weren't there.

Tempo wise - I think every horse will have their chance, but unless there are any scratchings - I'm not expecting them to go as hard as they did in the Liston or Craiglee.

Maldivian will go forward (drawn wide), but second up after a setback - he surely won't be out for a gutbusting run.
Douro Valley probably will, but doesn't have to lead and won't go hard.
From their draws, I think Vigor, Heart Of Dreams and Zarita will be thereabouts - but in the main field, I don't think there'll be anything which is going to push her hard for an on-pace run and horses from wide gates have won this race before (Rubiscent, Perlin, Elvstroem).

So I actually think Typhoon Tracy looks like she'll be backable odds, finally.
Her two runs this time in have been huge, and from the 1800m start, she's got a lovely long run to the first turn or her to go forward, cross the field and lob into a handy spot. Yeah, it's a bigger and better field than she's ever faced, but there aren't really many in here who'll push her hard for the lead (unless the Kiwi horse gets a run). And her two performances this time in how she's finished off after being asked to do so much - well, I'm not as convinced as most that she's limited to the mile. I guess this will answer those questions.

Of course Whobegotyou is a deserved favourite after his last outstanding win. Interesting that on the quick backup he has stats of 3: 1-1-0, that last back-up failure being on a wet track in the Queen Elizabeth in the Autumn.
Geez it's tough to knock him, but 7/4 in this field?! Just how good is that line through Mic Mac? He always gets back into the second half of the field - can he afford to do that here, on this day, on this track (which historically can play to on-pacers) and rely on luck and getting the right runs at the right time? Will he be asked to do too much? Making a long, sustained run from the second half of the field at Caulfield is tougher than making a quick whip around and sprint at Moonee Valley.. now that he's had a run in them, will the blinkers be as effective?

Dunno, there's going to be a huge following for him who may all very well be right and be willing to back in the obvious - but he does have a bit of that 'fresh in the memory' bias on his side.. many of the same ones who say he'll 'just win' this will be the same who were falling over themselves for Vigor after the Craiglee.

Meh, it's only Wednesday and I've only seen the field - but I just don't want to get sucked into thinking it's a Whobegotyou benefit. It's not, is it?

 

[krusher]

Yeah, I'm probably having a blonde moment, but this would have to be close to the best Underwood Stakes that I've seen. Absolutely mouth-watering race.

Have now updated first post for Underwood with barriers - didn't realise they weren't there.

Tempo wise - I think every horse will have their chance, but unless there are any scratchings - I'm not expecting them to go as hard as they did in the Liston or Craiglee.

Maldivian will go forward (drawn wide), but second up after a setback - he surely won't be out for a gutbusting run.
Douro Valley probably will, but doesn't have to lead and won't go hard.
From their draws, I think Vigor, Heart Of Dreams and Zarita will be thereabouts - but in the main field, I don't think there'll be anything which is going to push her hard for an on-pace run and horses from wide gates have won this race before (Rubiscent, Perlin, Elvstroem).

So I actually think Typhoon Tracy looks like she'll be backable odds, finally.
Her two runs this time in have been huge, and from the 1800m start, she's got a lovely long run to the first turn or her to go forward, cross the field and lob into a handy spot. Yeah, it's a bigger and better field than she's ever faced, but there aren't really many in here who'll push her hard for the lead (unless the Kiwi horse gets a run). And her two performances this time in how she's finished off after being asked to do so much - well, I'm not as convinced as most that she's limited to the mile. I guess this will answer those questions.

Of course Whobegotyou is a deserved favourite after his last outstanding win. Interesting that on the quick backup he has stats of 3: 1-1-0, that last back-up failure being on a wet track in the Queen Elizabeth in the Autumn.
Geez it's tough to knock him, but 7/4 in this field?! Just how good is that line through Mic Mac? He always gets back into the second half of the field - can he afford to do that here, on this day, on this track (which historically can play to on-pacers) and rely on luck and getting the right runs at the right time? Will he be asked to do too much? Making a long, sustained run from the second half of the field at Caulfield is tougher than making a quick whip around and sprint at Moonee Valley.. now that he's had a run in them, will the blinkers be as effective?

Dunno, there's going to be a huge following for him who may all very well be right and be willing to back in the obvious - but he does have a bit of that 'fresh in the memory' bias on his side.. many of the same ones who say he'll 'just win' this will be the same who were falling over themselves for Vigor after the Craiglee.

Meh, it's only Wednesday and I've only seen the field - but I just don't want to get sucked into thinking it's a Whobegotyou benefit. It's not, is it?

no your dead right for a horse that doesnt win out of turn 2.70 on wed arvo is too short -

- caulfield
- backing up
- very good field
all point to laying WBGY

look to either
pred pricer - forgive 2nd up and getting to ideal distance
heart of dreams - been untouched so far this time in and will get the gun run with the gun jock

 

[TheBlackPrince]

WBGY is the obvious choice, however I will be expecting improvement from:

* Douro Valley - Sound 2nd up, Distance and Track record
* Red Ruler - Will strip much fitter after HQ run. If you are interested in Cup odds for this bloke, I suggest you have a nibble before Saturday.
* Heart Of Dreams - 3rd run in, will expect a bold showing.

 

[TheBlackPrince]

As for the Rupert Clarke, Raheeb @ $11 please. Swift Alliance form will stand up throughout the spring and I think Raheeb is getting to his pet distance.

 

[2121]

live turfontien... backed him the other week at think same odds ran third.

 

[quentinlynchthethumper]

Hey guys just wondering what your thoughts are on Mr Baritone and his chances in the Rupert Clarke? He's a good genuine old trier but gets back in his races and usually runs on in eye catching fashion but rarely wins. Very frustrating to follow!

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Heart Of Dreams just may prove hard to beat in the Underwood, but if Whobegotyou is within a couple of metres from the leading bunch with around 400 to go; favourite punters will be licking their lips with another victory. PP is another who could prove an upset, is motoring along quite well at present; could be around-abouts for the entire race. Be interesting to see where it is mid-race, from barrier 2 you'd think it'd either go forward or stay back on the rails. Could lead them a merry dance if it can pinch a nice break on the home turn. Should be a cracker with MelbCup contenders on show in the same race in Efficient, MasterO, CLG & Viewed.

 

[Nuke]

Predatory Pricer is, I think, a horse that enjoys his galloping room.. tbh I'd have preferred him in this with a double-figure barrier draw than the one he got. Really hard to know what to do with him - I don't think he finishes his races off anywhere near as well if he races up on the pace, but it'd be a shame to waste the gate - especially when the alternatively is riding him more quietly and ending up stuck on the rail/crowded amongst horses 3-4 back..

Hey guys just wondering what your thoughts are on Mr Baritone and his chances in the Rupert Clarke? He's a good genuine old trier but gets back in his races and usually runs on in eye catching fashion but rarely wins. Very frustrating to follow!

Not in the Underwood, he's in the G1 1400m race on the same program. First thoughts - he's sensationally in at the weights.
He was unlucky last start as well. I'm nottt sure if he goes quite as well Melbourne way as he does Sydney way, but he has to be in with a good chance just on class. But you're right, he'd be a hard horse to follow! Wins are hard to catch..

 

[LordMayorJohnSo]

Interestingly Peter Moody on 927 yesterday said that they will ride Typhoon Tracy more quietly in the underwood but that was after he said that he didnt think Hanks could win
No looks like a great race and we will obviously find out alot about a few of these and where they are heading.
In the Rupert Clarke Mr Baritone is going very well in Sydney and was very unlucky last start but as Nuke says he goes better that way. It's also a very even race

Not sure which way I'll be going yet but I would really love to see Big Mal and Red Ruler run big races in the underwood

Lastly I can't believe that Glen Boss didnt get the ride on Pinnacles

 

[dr nick]

lol, 14 group 1 winners and there's a $2.60 favourite.

 

[ECHUCABOY]

Lads, awesome day of racing...last time C'est LR ran I said it would win every race it competes in, such was the quality of its last 400m, I think its a good e/w chance again but this field is read hot and 1800 may be a little short..

As Nuke said PPricer needs its galloping room, I think the ride was overlooked last start, it was a shocker. It needs 3 or 4 big bounds before it really winds up and it needs to come around them, if it can get into a good pozzy it goes very very close.

Then You've got Vigor, TTracy and Whobe all massive chances, it really is a roll of the dice and I wont be investing too much of my hard earned.

In the prelude I'm sticking with Tollesprit, it could be anything this horse, it'll win this.

Then I'll be going with two of my favourites Chasm after a bottler of a run down the straight, which he isn't suited too and Neroli first up....Thats it for the time being

 

[quentinlynchthethumper]

Interestingly Peter Moody on 927 yesterday said that they will ride Typhoon Tracy more quietly in the underwood but that was after he said that he didnt think Hanks could win
No looks like a great race and we will obviously find out alot about a few of these and where they are heading.
In the Rupert Clarke Mr Baritone is going very well in Sydney and was very unlucky last start but as Nuke says he goes better that way. It's also a very even race

Not sure which way I'll be going yet but I would really love to see Big Mal and Red Ruler run big races in the underwood

Lastly I can't believe that Glen Boss didnt get the ride on Pinnacles

I'm also looking for a huge run from Red Ruler, really impressed me last time in. Also looking forward to the return of Lamarr from Kav's stable in race 2 on the card, pretty sure was one that was blackbooked on here during the summer and might be ready to take the next step this prep.

 

[The Big Woofer]

In the Rupert Clarke Stakes how is Pinnacles currently 60/1 with TAB sportsbet....huge each way value!

Consider this:

Only five months ago he was beaten by 1.7l to Vision and Power, Black Piranha and Whobegotyou in the Doncaster after pulling and being blocked for a run in the straight.

The year before he finished third in same race to Triple Honour and Casino Prince.

Good caulfield record, smart trainer, great hoop in S.Arnold.

What odds would Whobe or Black Piranha be in the Rupert Clarke with 55kg and from gate 5 ?? !! ​

 

[Eddie Dingle]

In the Rupert Clarke Stakes how is Pinnacles currently 60/1 with TAB sportsbet....huge each way value!

Consider this:

Only five months ago he was beaten by 1.7l to Vision and Power, Black Piranha and Whobegotyou in the Doncaster after pulling and being blocked for a run in the straight.​

The year before he finished third in same race to Triple Honour and Casino Prince.​

Good caulfield record, smart trainer, great hoop in S.Arnold.​

What odds would Whobe or Black Piranha be in the Rupert Clarke with 55kg and from gate 5 ?? !! ​

Shhhhh I want good odds on Pinnacles.....

 

[paul22]

Im thinking of having a little each way bet on Red Ruler and Scenic Shot, if 1 of them comes a place i will still make a tidy profit

 

[onebillsdrive]

lol, 14 group 1 winners and there's a $2.60 favourite.

Must be arecord for G1 winners in arace

 

[Colin D'Cops]

My tips for Underwood Stakes day; (** = Best bet)
R1 - 6 / Grief
R2 - 4 / Partiva
R3 - 12 / Huxssen
R4 - 14 / Recorrido
R5 - 8 / Tollesprit
R6 - 10 / Raffaello **
R7 - 9 / C'est La Guerre
R8 - 15 / Velocitea
R9 - 3 / Light Vision

 

[Ron]

This is the best fields we have seen in Victoria this year, and only 2nd in the whole country behind the fields they had for Slipper day.

What a ****ing cracker of a day, can't wait for Sat, going out to Caulfield, then going to the G. Just hope the rain stops.

 

[Lockyer24]

Early thoughts...

Caulfield

R1 - Possible Derby bound field, Shamoline Warrior the one with the wraps on it, first up was ok, 2nd up not so great. This would be his D-day you would think just about, in Kav we trust. Watch betting, he is 2nd fav atm behind promising Tribunal, but I bet he tumbles in pre race.

R2 - Rommie is back! Based on weights I can't see any of the topweights beating her after the Maskiell 3 kg claim, or any of the lightweights being good enough. I give Royal Snippets a sniff for a place.

R3 - First Command you simply cannot jump off until he either hits a wet wet track or meets WFA class. Huxxsen and Rightfully Yours are good but not FC good.

R4 - Interesting race, Headway on class - Irish Lights on recent form - or Recorrido on pure upside? After picking a few fav's to start with might be time to put your balls on the line...depending on whats in your pocket. I'm afraid I wont know who to go til 10 mins before the race...

R5 - My Sydney boy Trusting comes to town, and thankfully doesn't have Denman to chase. Starspangledbanner though has proven very hard to catch! Think one of Trusting/Manhattan Rain/Tickets will stand up here...could be the best Guineas in a long time this year...

R6 - Chasm's first up run took me by surprise, and Im his biggest fan. If that was a sign that he is ready to take the next step finishing so close to Swift Alliance (who looks a ripping sprinter) - then Im aboard. A lot of excellent swoopers in this race - could be a cracking finish.

R7 - Vigor at those odds each way I am happy to stick with. Not sure how 'elite' he is yet, but he is a winner and will put himself in the race. What a field though...the winner will earn it

R8 - Had my eyes on a few lightweights but Absolut Glam has run in better races than this and is more than capable of taking it out.

R9 - Light Vision has hit stride, but if Speed Gifted gets a run I won't know what to do with myself. SG looks the more talented of the two but LV will be in for a fight..

...and up in Sydney I can't wait to see So You Think go round at the massive odds of $1.70....Bart has got a ripper..hope gets down here for the Guineas.

 

[SmothOperRaider]

I'm all aboard the Gold Salute train in the Rupert Clarke.

 

[discoduck]

my thoughts, for what they're worth:

r1 - tribunal
r2 - romneya
r3 - first command
r4 - irish lights
r5 - starspangledbanner
r6 - gold salute / raffaelo quin
r7 - typhoon tracy
r8 - neroli
r9 - speed gifted

 

[Better Loosen Up]

What are your thoughts on Tollesprit?

Looks like he'll get a good run. I think he may be a chance of turning the tables on Starspangledbanner with an extra 200m. Prepared to risk Trusting based on this being his first run in VIC. Same goes for 1 and 2.

Will Vigor measure up?

Should get the perfect run. May be the up and commer this Spring.

 

[Nuke]

It looks like it's a Dead 5 at the moment and the forecast looks pretty good for today and tomorrow... Might be up to a 4 tomorrow morning and evetually get to a 3 after the first few?! I missed listening to the track manager this morning so dunno what he had to say, but that seems the likely condition assuming there's no more rain.

Punters sound like they're all over Melito...

Can Dane Julia upset the faves in Sydney? She's run some very good races in the top mares races and sneaks in with next to no weight. Seems a good each way chance. There's a few horses in the same wraps with decent wraps though. If Rangi makes a mess of these he'll end up a very short Epsom favourite..