Underwood Stakes Day will have a slightly different feel in 2021, and the nine-race meeting will instead be held on a Saturday at Ladbrokes Park.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (6) range.
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Race 1 – 12:10pm – Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap, (1000m)
This isn’t the easiest way to start the day from a betting perspective, but I am going to have something on the resuming How Womantic.
How Womantic hasn’t been seen at the races since April, but she does tend to compete well when fresh, and she has recorded two wins from three previous attempts at this point of her preparation.
She boasts a class edge in this field, and she can fight out the finish.
Race 2 – 12:45pm – IVE Print Handicap, (1400m)
Foxy Frida looks to be a key winning chance in the second on Underwood Stakes Day.
The Andrew Noblett-trained mare was a strong and consistent performer throughout her most recent prep, recording consecutive wins at Flemington most notably, including the Rivette Series Final.
She has had a trial in the lead-up to her return, and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 3 – 1:20pm – Tile Importer Handicap, (1400m)
I’m happy to back Sandy Prince to bounce back in the third at Ladbrokes Park on Saturday.
Sandy Prince has recorded two wins and as many second placings from his four starts back this time, and he was only just denied by an impressive Forgot You at The Valley last time out.
He is at peak fitness for this run, the drop back to 1400m should suit and with even luck, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 4 – 1:55pm – Listed Jim Moloney Stakes, (1400m)
She certainly isn’t a sure thing, but Zouzarella puts an unbeaten record on the line in the Jim Moloney Stakes, and I am happy to stick with her.
Zouzarella stamped herself as a filly to follow with an eye-catching win on debut at The Valley last month, and she franked that effort with a dominant win in the Listed Atlantic Jewel last time.
This doesn’t look a whole lot harder, but she boasts plenty of upside.
Race 5 – 2:30pm – Group 3 Ladbrokes Sandown Stakes, (1500m)
Just seven horses will contest the Ladbrokes Sandown Stakes, and it looks a very winnable race for Elephant.
The Kiwi raider seemingly doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and he has recorded five wins from just six starts since debuting.
He announced himself to the Australian community with a lovely win at Caulfield two starts back, and he was only just denied by Superstorm in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes most recently.
The drop in class suits and with even luck, he’ll take beating again.
Race 6 – 3:05pm – The Big Screen Company Handicap, (1800m)
Floating Artist is chasing a hat-trick of wins when he steps out at Ladbrokes Park on Saturday, and I am happy to stick with him.
The six-year-old son of Nathaniel needed the run when resuming off a long speed at Caulfield in July, but he has won each of his two subsequent starts with something in hand.
He’ll get some relief in the weights under Teo Nugent, and he’ll give them something to chase.
Race 7 – 3:45pm – Group 1 Underwood Stakes, (1800m)
It’s all about Zaaki in Saturday’s feature race, and he has gone up at 2021 Underwood Stakes odds of $1.28.
I think he’ll win comfortably, but that is far too short for me, so I am happy to sit back and watch this for the spectacle that it is sure to be.
Race 8 – 4:25pm – Listed Testa Rossa Stakes, (1300m)
This looks to be one of the more open races on the card and I am keen to have a go at something at a price.
He remains something of an enigma and he is first-up in the Testa Rossa Stakes, but I think that So Si Bon looks a touch of overs at around the $11 mark, I am an eager to have an each-way play.
So Si Bon has been the bane of punters’ existence plenty of times, but he has actually managed to strike a few times in his recent preps, and he beat home the likes of Mr Quickie in the VOBIS Gold Mile most notably last time.
He is a previous winner at this point of his prep, and he wouldn’t look out of place in the winner’s stall this week.
Race 9 – 5:05pm – Evergreen Turf Handicap, (1800m)
Tough betting races bookend the Underwood Stakes Day program and I am going to give Kingsheir one last chance.
He was an impressive winner at Randwick when resuming, but the Kingman gelding has failed to win again in two starts despite his prominence in betting on both occasions.
He should be nearing peak fitness and with even luck, he is good enough to win.