Underwood Stakes Tips, Betting, Odds, Horses & More 2024

The Underwood Stakes occupies a prominent position within the Melbourne Spring Carnival, forming a crucial part of an exhilarating roster of races. Annually held at Caulfield Racecourse, this event has morphed into an indispensable gathering for racing aficionados, bettors and insiders from the industry. 

The appeal of the Underwood Stakes stems not only from its Group 1 standing but also from its knack for drawing the finest of mature horse talent from across Australia. The Underwood Stakes serves as a prime race for stayers looking to build their assault on some of the bigger distance races later in the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

There are so many key races held at Caulfield Racecourse during Spring Racing Carnival which is why many consider it to be one of the top tracks in the country. Some of the key races to be held at Caulfield Racecourse include; the Caulfield Cup, the Caulfield Guineas and the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. 

Those are just some of the Group One races that take place during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival. Things are just getting warmed up when the Underwood Stakes takes place, with heaps more racing in October and November for us racing fans to sink our teeth into.

OnlyRacing.com.au’s Underwood Stakes page will cover all the important information you need to know about the race. Whether it is tips and betting-related information or general information on topics like history, field and form guide, we’ve got you all sorted.

With a significant $750,000 prize pool on offer for contenders, it is an important race to win in its own right although it is fair to say that for many it is a stepping stone towards greater riches on offer deeper into the carnival.

The first runner across the line gets the lion’s share of the prize money and the first eight runners walk away with something. Check out the breakdown details below:

One of the most fun things about horse racing, in our opinion, is the free horse racing tips. We don’t want to toot our own horn, but we have some of the best horse racing tips going around. We cover tips for every Group 1 on the calendar along with general weekly horse racing tips, so you can always get your fill.

As soon as we can, our experts will provide their Underwood Stakes tips. At the moment, they are just holding off until race week, which is when the final field is announced. Once our experts know all the runners that will be competing, they can put forward their proper analysis and provide their best bet, next best and best roughie for the race.

In the meantime, we’ve left up their tips for the Underwood Stakes in 2023, so you can check out and judge out they performed below:

Underwood Stakes Best Bet - Alligator Blood

It’s uneventful tipping the favourite, I know. But if I think the favourite is going to win, that’s who I’m going to be tipping! For the 2023 Underwood Stakes, I’m going with Alligator Blood, who is currently the $3.60 favourite. Out of all the majority of the field, he comes out of some strong lead-up races, including the Memsie Stakes and the Makybe Diva Stakes.

His performances have been solid, with a fourth in the Memsie and and second in the Makybe Diva. He is on the one-week turnaround, but I think that suits him and he is as fit as you could be. Needs a positive ride from Damien Oliver, but can certainly get the job done. Alligator Blood as my best bet.

Underwood Stakes Next Best - Without A Fight

Currently on the second line of betting, Without A Fight is listed at odds of $4.60. The Irish runner landed in Australia and was the favourite in the Melbourne Cup. We all know that things didn’t go to plan that day, but he is settled in Australia and I think he could give them all a sight in the Underwood Stakes.

Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman have got him in tip-top shape and focused on getting some speed in his legs. I have loved the way Without A Fight has developed and he is a genuine weight-for-age runner now. Let’s see what he can do in the Underwood Stakes on Saturday!

Underwood Stakes Best Roughie - Soulcombe

For my best roughie, I’ve landed on Soulcombe, who is currently listed at odds of $7.50. Not the juiciest roughie I’ve ever found, but I think he can run top three in the Underwood Stakes. It’s a big step up in class, but I think Soulcombe is up to the challenge. 

The Underwood Stakes seems like the perfect target for him considering his impressive performance in the Heatherlie Handicap, run over a distance of 1,700m. He has been fighting it out with the best of them in the UK, so nothing is telling me he can’t do the same here. With some Aussie runs under his belt, now could very well be the time.

We hope you enjoyed our 2023 Underwood Stakes tips. Please check back again during race week for our 2024 tips.

Wagering on the Underwood Stakes and other Group 1 horse races provides a platform to flaunt your racing acumen. From simple Fixed Win or Place market choices to more intricate exotic wagers, the betting scope is broad. 

Whether your preference lies with multis, exotics, or focusing on specific jockeys or popular bets of the day, our in-depth guide will arm you with the necessary information to make knowledgeable betting choices. 

The Underwood Stakes promises to be an exciting Group 1 race held at Caulfield Racecourse. While this section does not provide a list of the runners, we can still offer some guidance on selecting the right bookmaker for your bets on the race. 

Choosing the right option from a massive list of Australian betting sites can be overwhelming, but we aim to make it easier by suggesting a few reliable options. Before diving into the recommendations, it's important to check out the field of runners for the Underwood Stakes and decide which horses you wish to bet on.

One of the key factors to consider when selecting one of the different bookies is the odds they offer. It may require some effort, but visiting multiple sites and comparing the odds they provide for your preferred market can help you determine which bookie offers the best odds. 

By choosing the bookmaker with the highest odds, you increase your potential return. For a comprehensive list of Australian bookmakers that offer Group 1 horse racing markets, you can refer to our bookmaker reviews page.

Another aspect to consider is your comfort level with a particular bookmaker. Many Australian punters prefer to bet with bookmakers they are familiar with, whether it's due to the app or website they frequently use, like PlayUp, Bet365 or Dabble, for example. 

It is entirely reasonable to stick with a bookmaker you feel comfortable placing your bets with. Our bookmaker reviews page provides information on the reliability of each bookie, which can assist you in making an informed decision.

Betting promotions also play a significant role in bookmaker selection. Check our promotions page to see what various Australian bookmakers offer in terms of bonuses and promotions for betting with them. Some bookies may have specific promotions for the Underwood Stakes, so it's worth exploring those options as well.

Ultimately, there is no definitive method for choosing a bookmaker for the Underwood Stakes. The tips mentioned above are all valid considerations. However, it is crucial to ensure that you bet with one of the best betting apps going around and provide any necessary verification information before placing your bets. 

If you’d like some recommendations on which bookies are worthy of your time, check out our “Betting Sites” section above. We’ve got over 20 bookies listed there and you can see all that they offer. You’ll have all the information to decide if they are the bookie for you.

We are still waiting to see which runners will be tackling the Underwood Stakes in 2024. Don’t worry though, as soon as the information comes in during race week, we will bring you all the details! As we have come to expect in recent years, we know the Underwood Stakes field will be filled with quality runners.

If you’re looking for a sneak peek at the runners that could be lining up in the Underwood Stakes, you should check out the odds, if they are available. Taking a look at the odds markets will tell you which runners are more favoured in the market currently and therefore more likely to make an appearance. 

While we’re sitting around waiting for the final field to be confirmed, why don’t you take a step back in time and check out all the runners that lined up for the Underwood Stakes in 2023 below:

In the 2023 edition of the Underwood Stakes, we saw a field of 16 confirmed, along with one emergency. Before the race, we saw one scratching of Duke De Sessa, but this was too close to jump time and therefore the first emergency, Alaskan God, was already scratched as well.

You’ll notice that scratchings happen all the time in horse racing, it’s almost always unavoidable. Scratchings can happen for any number of reasons and even in big races like the Underwood Stakes, where there is a lot at stake, scratchings still occur. If you do bet on a horse that ends up being scratched, you will get your stake back.

While you’re looking into the final field, something else you should check out is the barrier draw. In horse racing, each runner jumps from a specific barrier and the process of choosing a starting barrier is random. The barrier each runner starts from can play a fairly significant role in race tactics and how the race eventually plays out.

Putting together the Underwood Stakes form guide is essential if you want to bet with your head. There are many different areas you need to look into and while you may not have the time or knowledge to successfully complete this, we do! The team here at OnlyRacing have done all the hard work for you.

We’ve gone through all the key form indicators that you need to be aware of so you can increase your chances of placing a winning bet. While considering the key form indicators won’t guarantee you a winner, it can certainly help point you in the right direction. So, check out all the details we’ve found out below!

The Underwood Stakes is a good indicator race for other key Group 1s later in the season, like the Cox Plate or the Caulfield Cup. So, if a runner performs well in the Underwood Stakes, make sure you keep an eye on them if they go on to compete in one of those races!

In terms of the best lead-up races for the Underwood Stakes, you should check out races like the Makybe Diva Stakes, the Memsie Stakes and the Feehan Stakes. In 2023, winner Alligator Blood competed in both the Makybe Diva Stakes and the Memsie Stakes before winning the Underwood Stakes.

The barrier draw is important to consider as well, as we’ve only seen one winner jump from a double-digit barrier since 2008! Mares also don’t have the best record in the Underwood Stakes, so it could pay to avoid them. Since 1985, we’ve only seen two mares win, which was Tristarc and Bonneval! 

When looking at how the favourite has performed in the Underwood Stakes, we’ve found that only six favourites have won since 2010. We see upsets regularly in the race, including in 2019 when Black Heart Bart won jumping with odds of $101.

Look for runners that are coming into the Underwood Stakes in some form. Since 1997, we have seen only two Underwood Stakes winners finish worse than fourth in their lead-up race. It also pays to check out 4YOs as they historically have a good record. From 2008 until 2013, we saw six straight 4YOs win the Underwood Stakes. 

With a race like the Underwood Stakes, we always see some of the best-ever horses compete and win. It takes a pretty amazing horse to come out and win the Underwood Stakes. We’ve gone through all the best Underwood Stakes horses and featured them here in this section.

Now, there were heaps of horses to choose from, so we had to make some tough calls on which horses to include and which horses didn’t make the cut. Hopefully, you agree with the choices we’ve made! Check out all the top Underwood Stakes horses below:

Phar Lap - 1931

What can we say about Phar Lap that hasn’t already been said? Probably nothing, but let’s go through some stats! The gelding had an impressive record of 51:37-3-2 which included wins in high-profile races like the Melbourne Cup, the Victoria Derby and the Cox Plate. He also has a Group 2 race named in his honour, the Phar Lap Stakes.

Ajax - 1938-1940

Ajax won the Underwood Stakes three years in a row from 1938 to 1940. He at least placed in almost every single race he competed in and ended his career with a record of 46: 36-7-2. Some of the races he won in his career included; the Cox Plate, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap.

Tobin Bronze - 1966

Inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2003, Tobin Bronze won the Underwood Stakes in 1966. He ended his career with a record of 60:28-10-6 and this included wins in races such as the Cox Plate, the Caulfield Cup, the Victoria Derby, the  Doncaster Mile and the Toorak Handicap.

Northerly - 2001 & 2002

With over $9 million in prize money, Northerly is one of the top horses to ever win the Underwood Stakes. In fact, Northerly managed to win the Underwood Stakes in back-to-back years. Some of the other races he won throughout his career included; the Cox Plate, the Caulfield Cup and the Australian Cup.

Alligator Blood - 2022 & 2023

Like Northerly, Alligator Blood won the Underwood Stakes in back-to-back years. At the time of writing, Alligator Blood has over $8 million in prize money and a career record of 35:15-5-3. Some of the key races he has won in his career include; the Australian Guineas, the Stradbroke Handicap and the Futurity.

If you’re going to bet on the Underwood Stakes, you’re going to need one vital piece of information - the odds! The Underwood Stakes odds will tell you which runners are more favoured in the market. But remember, the odds will change all the time, so if you see a price you like, it’s a good idea to jump on it.

There are plenty of horse racing markets available and the closer we get to race day, the more markets open up. This means if you’re looking for something stock standard or something more exotic, you can do so. All the top bookies will open up markets before the race, including our favourite, PlayUp. 

While the Underwood Stakes odds market isn’t yet available with PlayUp, we will keep an eye on things and bring you all the information as it comes to light. The shorter the odds for a particular runner, the more chance that runner will win the race, but remember, anything can happen in horse racing, so nothing is a sure thing.

When the market is live, we recommend getting your bets on as soon as you can, especially if the market is listed as “Before Noms” because this means you’ll get your stake back if your runner doesn’t make the final field. If you’re betting when the make is “All-In” you don’t get this luxury.

Come back soon! We will list the Underwood Stakes odds as soon as we can. You don’t want to miss which runner is the favourite in the market.

The Underwood Stakes is a pulse-pounding 1,800m race held annually and run at Caulfield Racecourse during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, which is one of the most viewed horse racing carnivals of the year. This heart-stopping showdown boasts a prize pool of $750,000, placing it among the wealthiest races for horses aged three years and over. 

This race lures an exceptional gathering of budding superstars and established talents alike each year, with entrants running under weight-for-age conditions. The Underwood Stakes' illustrious history began in 1924 and over the years it has been run at various distances between 1m,400m and 2,000m.  

However, since 1992 it has been run at the 1800m which it is run at today. The inaugural race was won by the powerful gelding Whittier, marking the start of many memorable races to come. It was first known as the Williamstown Stakes and was run at several different racecourses, including Williamstown itself.

It began as a Principal Race and received Group 1 status in 1979, solidifying its place as an essential event in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. This adjustment elevated the event's significance and magnetism within the racing community. 

Its placement in the racing calendar over the years means that it strategically precedes key events like the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate, acting as a significant form guide for these esteemed contests. Three straight Caulfield Cup winners Northerly (2002), Mummify (2003) and Elvstroem (2004) came through winning the Underwood. 

The Underwood Stakes is also recognised as the first weight-for-age race in the Spring Racing Carnival longer than 1,600m and gives those competing stayers a chance to fine-tune their Spring Racing Carnival itinerary.

The Underwood Stakes is just one of many Group 1 races on the calendar. We have pages just like this one on all the other races, so if you’re interested in learning more about them, check out our Group One races list!

So, you want to know who won the Underwood Stakes, now do you? Well, look at you, because you’ve come to the right place! We have all the Underwood Stakes results you could need including the finishing order of every single runner in the race and a full race replay, so you can relive all the action.

In 2023, the Underwood Stakes was taken out by Alligator Blood, who successfully defended his crown after winning the race in 2022. Alligator Blood was also the pre-race favourite, so he certainly made punters happy that day. Tuvalu finished in second place and was 1L off the pace. 

Wrapping up the final placing was Duais, who finished 1.2L off the leader. In the end, the Underwood Stakes was run in a time of 1:48.53 and there was a total of 10.2L that split the first and last runner across the finishing post.

See where each runner in the Underwood Stakes finished below:

Want to relive all the action that unfolded in the Underwood Stakes? Check out the race replay below:

Winners, winners and more winners! We have put together a table that showcases all the recent winners of the Underwood Stakes. Check out all the details below:

Before we let you know, we’ve put together one last section for you to check out. Our Underwood Stakes FAQs section goes through all the common questions people have about the race. Take a look at all the questions below: