The 2025 Underwood Stakes ran on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, and was won in a gutsy late effort by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained favourite Sir Delius ($2.10)!
| 9. Sir Delius (10) J: Craig Williams 59kg 8x1x2T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 2. Buckaroo (7) J: Blake Shinn 59kg 970x3T: Chris Waller | ||
| 8. Golden Path (6) J: Jordan Childs 59kg 65x31T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | ||
| 10. Moira (4) J: Damian Lane 57kg x0x42T: Chris Waller | ||
| 6. Land Legend (11) J: Michael Dee 59kg 68x39T: Chris Waller | ||
| 11. Zardozi (9) J: Jamie Melham 57kg 230x5T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 5. Casino Seventeen (8) J: Billy Egan 59kg x2765T: Gavin Bedggood | ||
| 3. Smokin' Romans (2) J: John Allen 59kg 10x72T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 7. Middle Earth (1) J: Mark Zahra 59kg 159x5T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 12. Anisette (5) J: Ben Melham 57kg 9x0x6T: Chris Waller |
Underwood Stakes Info
- 2025 Underwood Stakes Date: Saturday the 20th of September 2025
- Track Location: Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Distance: 1,800m
- Conditions: Weight-for-age; 3YOs & Upwards
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (AUD): A$1,000,000
- First Run: 1924
- Reigning Underwood Stakes Winner: Sir Delius (2025)
Looking for the latest Underwood Stakes betting odds, insider racing tips and form for the Caulfield Group 1? The TAB NZ have all the best betting guides and statistics to make informed bets on the Underwood Stakes race this September!
The Group 1 Underwood Stakes is a crucial early test for Australia’s top middle-distance and staying racehorses as they prepare for the iconic horse racing majors over the spring down under including the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
To improve your chances of predicting the next Underwood Stakes winner, access the latest Underwood Stakes odds and tips online at the TAB NZ.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of spring contenders eyeing runs in events including the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in Australia, our comprehensive Underwood Stakes coverage has everything you need.
See the best early spring contenders battle it out! Bet on your Underwood Stakes winner this season with TAB NZ!
Underwood Stakes Fast Facts
- Last mare to win the Underwood Stakes: Bonneval (2017)
- Last three-year-old to win the Underwood Stakes: Russian Camelot (2020)
- Last multiple Underwood winner: Alligator Blood (2022-23)
- Notable Fact: The Underwood Stakes winner is exempt from Caulfield Cup ballot
Underwood Stakes betting takes place on the popular Underwood Stakes race which is held at Caulfield Racecourse on a Saturday in late September annually.
Underwood Stakes odds are offered on the esteemed Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Group 1 event, and the field attracts a host of quality middle and longer distance racehorses heading towards bigger and better features over the coming months.
The Group 1 Underwood Stakes is one of Australia’s most popular horse races and has been run and won since 1924 when Whittier became the inaugural champion. Whittier also won the 1925 event going back-to-back in the opening two editions.
Underwood Stakes history shows the event was originally known as the Williamstown Racing Club and conducted at Williamstown Racecourse.
It moved to Caulfield Racecourse in 1948 and is now named in honour of the chairman of the Williamstown Racing Club (now the Victorian Race Club), H.A. Underwood.
Between 2021 and 2022 it took place at Sandown Racecourse.
The Underwood Stakes holds a special place in racing history due a host of turf greats having won the race during their careers including three straight subsequent Caulfield Cup champions: Northerly (2002), Mummify (2003) and Elvstroem (2004).
Now taking place at Australia’s popular Caulfield Racecourse, the Underwood Stakes is an 1800m test having been run at this distance consistently since 1994. Prior to that the race was conducted over varying distances between 1400m and 2000m.
Horses in the Underwood Stakes field must be aged at least three-years-old and the event is contested at weight-for-age.
It has held Group 1 status since 1979, the year Valley Of Georgia won.
The Underwood Stakes is the fourth Group 1 race of the spring in Melbourne following the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield in late August, the Group 1 A.J. Moir Stakes (1000m) for the sprinters at The Valley, and the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Get the best Underwood Stakes Day racing odds for Melbourne, racing stats, previews, form and insider tips on races like the meeting’s feature Group 1 races now at the TAB NZ!
Expert Tips on the 2025 Underwood Stakes
Stay tuned for our expert tips and Underwood Stakes betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature at Caulfield.
2025 Underwood Stakes Same Race Multi Selections ($8 at time of publish) – BET NOW
- Top 3 – No. 2 Buckaroo
- Top 3 – No. 9 Sir Delius
- Top 3 – No. 10 Moira
BUCKAROO (8) is the reigning Underwood Stakes champion, and he shapes as a genuine contender to become just the 15th horse in history to win multiple editions of the race — the last being Alligator Blood in 2022-23. The imported seven-year-old son of Fastnet Rock has truly hit his stride over the past season, consistently holding his own against elite company. Buckaroo claimed last year’s Underwood in emphatic fashion, storming home by 3.5 lengths over Huetor third-up, with Joao Moreira delivering a masterful ride. He backed that up with a narrow second in the Turnbull Stakes — just a neck behind the stable’s future Cox Plate winner — before producing a gutsy runner-up finish in the Caulfield Cup. Even his ninth-place effort in the Melbourne Cup, where he jumped from barrier 20 and finished within 3.5 lengths of the winner, was full of merit. His autumn campaign was best forgotten, but he’s returned this prep looking sharper and more composed. Fresh in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, Buckaroo was overlooked by punters but impressed over 1400m, finishing third behind the exciting mare Treasurethe Moment. That form was strongly validated last Saturday when Memsie runner-up Mr Brightside made history by winning the Makybe Diva Stakes for a third time. It all points to Buckaroo being primed for another big performance this Saturday. He’ll relish the step up to 1800m, benefits from a small field, and has drawn ideally in gate eight for Blake Shinn. Peaking at the right time — expect him to be right in the mix for a Top 3 finish.
SIR DELIUS (11) is an exciting import from the Waterhouse & Bott saddle and clear favourite for this year’s Underwood Stakes. This impeccably bred entire by Frankel is a rising staying star, lining up for just his ninth career start with an already impressive record of four wins and three placings. He showed serious promise in France, highlighted by a third-place finish behind Sosie in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris (2400m) last July, following a hat-trick of wins to kick off his career. Sir Delius made a strong impression on Australian debut, saluting as the odds-on favourite in Doomben’s Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) under 60kg on a Heavy track — a gritty win that showcased his determination. The stable has taken a patient approach, keeping him lightly raced, and he returned in style with a strong performance fresh in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick. Despite the 1600m trip being short of his best, he was excellent — charging home from midfield to just miss behind Lindermann in a tight finish. Sir Delius oozes untapped potential and looks every bit a top-class stayer in the making. With natural improvement to come and conditions to suit, he shapes as a major player in the Underwood — and could well deliver for punters this weekend.
MOIRA (4) is a dual Group 1-winning Canadian import for Waller and is another well-supported runner in the Underwood markets. The classy seven-year-old Ghostzapper mare racing in the Yu Long Investments colours. She stamped herself as world-class last November with a commanding win in the prestigious Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Fillies & Mares Turf (2213m) at Del Mar. Her Australian debut didn’t go to plan, drawing the car park (barrier 18 of 20) and finishing 14th — beaten 4.9 lengths by Stefi Magnetica in the Doncaster. But she’s been steadily improving since. Moira showed encouraging signs when fourth in the PB Lawrence, hitting the line strongly, and backed that up with a close second in the So You Think Stakes — just a long neck off Desert Lightning. Both races look solid form references heading into the spring Group 1s. She’s proven over the trip and beyond, is clearly adapting well to Australian conditions, and has drawn perfectly in gate four with Damian Lane sticking. Now fitter and ready to peak, Moira shapes as a genuine each-way threat in the Underwood.
Underwood Stakes Tips
Underwood Stakes tips on which horse will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the important Caulfield 1800m race heats up.
Underwood Stakes tips on what horse will win the Underwood Stakes this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at Underwood Stakes race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in the Underwood Stakes field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key Underwood Stakes trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in the Underwood Stakes field this year?
- Underwood Stakes barrier statistics and where your Underwood Stakes betting selections are drawn.
- Underwood Stakes horses that have a good past record at the track.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning Underwood Stakes race tip? The event itself takes between 1 minute and 40 seconds and 1 minute and 50 seconds for competing horses to run the 1,800m trip depending on track conditions.
The official Underwood Stakes winner and winning Underwood Stakes trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish Underwood Stakes result.
What are the best Underwood Stakes lead-up races to look at when placing an Underwood Stakes bet?
Horses traditionally contest the Underwood Stakes off an earlier spring lead-up in a race like the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield or Flemington’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
The last horse to complete the Memsie Stakes – Underwood Stakes double in the same year was Black Heart Bart (2016).
The last horse to complete the Makybe Diva Stakes – Underwood Stakes double in the same year was Weekend Hussler (2008).
New Zealand-Trained Horses in the Underwood Stakes
Betting on the New Zealand-trained horses in the field is more and more popular as Underwood Stakes tips favour the proven Kiwi-trained hopes from across the ditch.
Looking back over the Underwood Stakes history and statistics shows that the last New Zealand-trained Underwood Stakes winner was Bonneval (2017).
From 2004-2025, five of the Underwood Stakes winners were New Zealand-trained with Perlin (2005), Lion Tamer (2011), Ocean Park (2012), Dundeel (2013), and Bonneval (2017).
Underwood Stakes Tips for a Trifecta
Underwood Stakes tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the Underwood Stakes results.
The horse to finish on top of the Underwood Stakes trifecta is your Underwood Stakes winner, the runner who outlasted all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing an Underwood Stakes trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
An Underwood Stakes trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on the Underwood Stakes to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your Underwood Stakes trifecta bet is a top tip as the favourites have an excellent recent strike-rate running in the money.
Key Underwood Stakes Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s Underwood Stakes by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the Underwood Stakes. Our Underwood Stakes betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. Underwood Stakes race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from barriers 2-8 have historically shown a higher success rate in the Underwood Stakes.
Bet on the next Underwood Stakes winner now!
Past Underwood Stakes Results
Recent Underwood Stakes winners, jockeys, trainers, barriers, and weights carried to victory dating back to the year 2005 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner – Age/Gender
Breeding |
Jockey | Weight (kgs) | Trainer/s | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIR DELIUS (GB) 5H FRANKEL (GB) – WHATAMI (GB) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 59.0 | GAI WATERHOUSE & ADRIAN BOTT | 10 | |
| BUCKAROO (GB) 5G FASTNET ROCK (AUS) – ROHERYN (IRE) GALILEO (IRE) |
JOAO MOREIRA | 59.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 10 | |
| ALLIGATOR BLOOD (AUS) 7G ALL TOO HARD (AUS) – LAKE SUPERIOR (AUS) ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 59.0 | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | 8 | |
| ALLIGATOR BLOOD (AUS) 6G ALL TOO HARD (AUS) – LAKE SUPERIOR (AUS) ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) |
TIM CLARK | 59.0 | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | 2 | |
| ZAAKI (GB) 6G LEROIDESANIMAUX (BRZ) – KESARA (GB) SADLER’S WELLS (USA) |
CRAIG WILLIAMS | 59.0 | ANNABEL NEASHAM | 3 | |
| RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE) 3C CAMELOT (GB) – LADY BABOOSHKA (GB) CAPE CROSS (IRE) |
DAMIEN OLIVER | 56.5 | DANNY O’BRIEN | 8 | |
| BLACK HEART BART (AUS) 9G BLACKFRIARS (AUS) – SISTER THERESA (AUS) AT TALAQ (USA) |
B RAWILLER | 59.0 | LINDSEY SMITH | 6 | |
| HOMESMAN (USA) 4G WAR FRONT (USA) – MY ANNETTE (USA) RED RANSOM (USA) |
B MELHAM | 59.0 | LIAM HOWLEY | 5 | |
| BONNEVAL (NZ) 4M MAKFI (GB) – IMPOSINGLY (AUS) ZABEEL (NZ) |
HUGH BOWMAN | 56.0 | MURRAY BAKER & ANDREW FORSMAN | 3 | |
| BLACK HEART BART (AUS) 6G BLACKFRIARS (AUS) – SISTER THERESA (AUS) AT TALAQ (USA) |
B RAWILLER | 59.0 | DARREN WEIR | 6 | |
| MOURINHO (AUS) 8G ORATORIO (IRE) – BENEVOLENT (NZ) GENEROUS (IRE) |
V DURIC | 59.0 | PETER GELAGOTIS | 4 | |
| FORETELLER (GB) 7G DANSILI (GB) – PROPHECY (IRE) WARNING (GB) |
G BOSS | 59.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 2 | |
| DUNDEEL (NZ) 4H HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) – STAREEL (NZ) ZABEEL (NZ) |
JAMES MCDONALD | 58.0 | MURRAY BAKER & ANDREW FORSMAN | 12 | |
| OCEAN PARK (NZ) 4H THORN PARK (AUS) – SAYYIDA (NZ) ZABEEL (NZ) |
G BOSS | 58.0 | G HENNESSY | 5 | |
| LION TAMER (NZ) 4H STORMING HOME (GB) – LIONESS (NZ) GENEROUS (IRE) |
M RODD | 58.0 | MURRAY BAKER & ANDREW FORSMAN | 6 | |
| SO YOU THINK (NZ) 4H HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) – TRIASSIC (NZ) TIGHTS (USA) |
S W ARNOLD | 58.0 | BART CUMMINGS | 2 | |
| HEART OF DREAMS (AUS) 4G SHOW A HEART (AUS) – ACADEMY OF DREAMS (AUS) ROYAL ACADEMY (USA) |
C NEWITT | 58.0 | MICK PRICE | 4 | |
| WEEKEND HUSSLER (AUS) 4G HUSSONET (USA) – WEEKEND BEAUTY (AUS) HELISSIO (FR) |
B RAWILLER | 58.0 | R S MCDONALD | 3 | |
| RUBISCENT (AUS) 5G RUBITON (AUS) – SKYESCENT (AUS) REGAL INTENTION (CAN) |
D NIKOLIC | 59.0 | MICK PRICE | 13 | |
| EL SEGUNDO (NZ) 5G PINS (AUS) – PALOS VERDES (NZ) OAK RIDGE (FR) |
D GAUCI | 58.0 | COLIN LITTLE | 7 | |
| PERLIN (NZ) 6G CARNEGIE (IRE) – MY MIDNIGHT MADAM (NZ) KAAPSTAD (NZ) |
D NIKOLIC | 58.0 | GRAEME ROGERSON | 12 |
Underwood Stakes Betting Info
Underwood Stakes betting is open months ahead of the Group 1 Melbourne, spring race down under at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination Underwood Stakes betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures Underwood Stakes odds online.
All-In Underwood Stakes betting markets are then available following the official Underwood Stakes nominations taken the Monday of race week.
Betting on the Underwood Stakes field is available following final acceptances which close on the Wednesday of race week.
Betting on the Underwood Stakes often favours middle distance and staying gallopers coming off lead-up runs in the Makybe Diva Stakes with this race proving a good form line to follow into the Underwood Stakes each spring.
Underwood Stakes race betting traditionally focuses on the older runners aged at least six who have an outstanding record in the event and those heading towards bigger and better events over the spring.
For the best online betting on the Underwood Stakes, consider tipping a horse to win both the Underwood Stakes and another Group 1 race over the carnival in a spring double!
Underwood Stakes Field & Acceptance Dates
It is crucial to take note of when the Underwood Stakes field is out, what time Underwood Stakes nominations close and the official Underwood Stakes acceptance dates when placing an Underwood Stakes bet online as horses may drop out of the race and bets may be cancelled.
The Underwood Stakes field features a capacity of 16 horses plus emergencies.
See below for the official Underwood Stakes field dates for 2025.
- 2025 Underwood Stakes Nominations: Close on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
- 2025 Underwood Stakes Final Field: Revealed on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 9:30am (Melbourne time).
- 2025 Underwood Stakes Barrier Draw: Conducted on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Where can you bet on the Underwood Stakes?
The best place to bet on this year’s Underwood Stakes race is through the TAB NZ online.
Underwood Stakes Odds
Underwood Stakes odds and online betting tips on the Underwood Stakes are dominated by proven Group 1 horses, the older runners in the race and New Zealand-trained gallopers who have a great record in the event heading towards the event third or fourth-up for the spring.
Where can I find the Underwood Stakes odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the Underwood Stakes, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
How to Place a Bet on the Underwood Stakes
Want to know how to make a bet on the Underwood Stakes? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest Underwood Stakes betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the Underwood Stakes online.
You can place an Underwood Stakes bet online anytime markets are live.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the Underwood Stakes.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, the Underwood Stakes is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest Underwood Stakes race field, joining a sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the spring carnival at Caulfield Racecourse, the Underwood Stakes has it all!
This important spring lead-up race showcases Australia’s finest thoroughbreds and attracts attention from all over the country as the count down to the ‘Big 3’ spring majors heats up!
How to Bet on the Underwood Stakes in 2025?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out the Underwood Stakes betting guide, Underwood Stakes form guide and our expert Underwood Stakes tips.
4. Choose an Underwood Stakes bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the Underwood Stakes Trifecta. There are many more Underwood Stakes betting options available so make sure to check out our Underwood Stakes betting markets.
5. Select the Underwood Stakes horse you want to bet on from the early markets, Underwood Stakes nominations or Underwood Stakes field.
What are the popular betting markets for the Underwood Stakes?
When it comes to betting on the Underwood Stakes, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
What makes betting on the Underwood Stakes so popular?
The fact that the Underwood Stakes is the first Group 1 race each spring contested over further than 1600m and one of the key lead-up races at the Melbourne Carnival of Racing make it a must watch and must bet on horse racing event.
What makes the Underwood Stakes so special?
The Underwood Stakes serves as a great guide historically to other important spring races like the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, so using the Underwood form for these upcoming events is popular with punters.
Australian and international racing fans, including those in New Zealand, tune into the thrilling 1800m spring event every season to see if their bets on the Underwood Stakes won!
The Underwood Stakes currently offers A$1 million in prize money plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners from across the country and further abroad keen to add their names to the list of Underwood Stakes champions.
How many horses can run in the Underwood Stakes?
The Underwood Stakes field has a 16-starter limit plus emergencies with final acceptances announced the Wednesday of race week.
In recent years the Underwood Stakes field has run under capacity with the event often attracting 10 or less runners.
Underwood Stakes race tips centre on proven weight-for-age stars that have good lead-up form, horses with previous experience at the track, and Kiwi-trained horses who have a dominant recent record in the race.
The Underwood Stakes is a weight-for-age race open to horses aged three-years-old and above meaning the older the horse is the more weight they will carry.
The highest-rated horse in the Underwood Stakes field dons the number one saddlecloth.
How many mares have won the Underwood Stakes in recent years?
Bonneval (2017) is the only mare to win the Underwood Stakes since Tristarc back in 1985.
What age group has the best Underwood Stakes record?
Four-year-olds have dominated the Underwood Stakes results in recent years with 10 saluting between 2000 and 2025, most recently Homesman in 2018.
The oldest recent Underwood Stakes winner was Black Heart Bart in 2019 who saluted as a nine-year-old. Black Heart Bart also won the race three years earlier in 2016 as a six-year-old.
The youngest recent Underwood Stakes winner was Russian Camelot in 2020 who beat home the older horses as a three-year-old.
In the past decade the older horses have had the best Underwood Stakes record. From 2014-2025, eight of the 12 Underwood Stakes winners were aged at least six-years-old.
Between 2000 and 2025 the breakdown of Underwood Stakes winners by age is as follows:
- 3YOS – 1 (latest Russian Camelot in 2020)
- 4YOs – 10 (latest Homesman in 2018)
- 5YOs – 4 (latest Sir Delius in 2025)
- 6YOs – 7 (latest Buckaroo in 2024)
- 7YOs – 2 (latest Alligator Blood in 2023)
- 8YOs – 1 (latest Mourinho in 2015)
- 9YOs – 1 (latest Black Heart Bart in 2019)
Underwood Stakes Prize Money
The Underwood Stakes prize money may not compare to the stakes on offer in events like the A$20 million The Everest and A$10 million The Golden Eagle which are both held in Sydney over the spring, but it remains a highlight of the Australian racing calendar.
The Underwood Stakes prize money is set at A$1 million in total stakes allocated between first to eighth place.
How much does the Underwood Stakes winner get? The winning Underwood Stakes horse receives a total of A$600,000 in prize money.
See below for the official breakdown of Underwood Stakes prizes on offer from the Underwood Stakes winner to the eighth horse to cross the finish line in the official Underwood Stakes results.
- First: A$600,000
- Second: A$180,000
- Third: A$90,000
- Fourth: A$45,000
- Fifth: A$25,000
- Sixth: A$20,000
- Seventh: A$20,000
- Eighth: A$20,000
Conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC), the Underwood Stakes is a mid-carnival feature race at the Caulfield track over the all-important Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The Underwood Stakes has been won by a host of turf greats including a many reigning or subsequent Cox Plate winners and Caulfield Cup champions.
How many international horses have won the Underwood Stakes?
None. So far, a horse trained outside of Australia or New Zealand has not won the Underwood Stakes with most Northern Hemisphere raiders opting to target the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup races later in the spring.
How many horses have won the Underwood Stakes more than once?
Fourteen horses have won multiple editions of the race including a three-time champion Ajax (1938, 1939, 1940) and Black Heart Bart (2016, 2019) whose two victories came three years apart.
Multiple Underwood Stakes Champions
Whittier (1924-25), Highland (1928-29), Hall Mark (1933-34), Young Idea (1935 & 1937), Ajax (1938-40), Attley (1946-47), Beau Gem (1949-50), Flying Halo (1953-44), Lord (1958 & 1960), Aquanita (1961-62), Future (1965-67), Northerly (2001-02), Black Heart Bart (2016 & 2019), and Alligator Blood (2022-23).
Underwood Stakes Race Records
What was the fastest Underwood Stakes winning time? Oliver Twist won the Underwood Stakes in 2000 in a smart time of 1 minute 47:63 seconds over the 1800m.
What races will runners out of the Underwood Stakes target in the spring?
Following a run in the Underwood Stakes key spring targets for the top contenders include Flemington’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) in early October, the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) run at Caulfield, the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) for which the Underwood Stakes winner is exempt from ballot for, and the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) with Australasia’s weight-for-age championship taking place at The Valley in late October.
Elvstroem (2004) was the last horse to complete the Underwood Stakes – Turnbull Stakes double in the same calendar year.
Alligator Blood (2023) was the last horse to complete the Underwood Stakes – Might And Power Stakes in the same calendar year.
Elvstroem (2004) was the last horse to complete the Underwood Stakes – Caulfield Cup in the same calendar year.
So You Think (2010) was last horse to complete the Underwood Stakes – Cox Plate double in the same calendar year.
The Underwood Stakes graduates may also potentially head into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) run over the two miles at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November.
What Time Does the Underwood Stakes Start?
The Underwood Stakes start time is traditionally scheduled after 4:00pm (local time).
Underwood Stakes Barriers
The Underwood Stakes barrier draw and allocated Underwood Stakes gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
When is the Underwood Stakes barrier draw?
The Underwood Stakes barrier draw is conducted on the same day as final acceptances close which is the Wednesday of race week around 9:30am local Melbourne time.
Barriers have historically affected the Underwood Stakes results with the distance and make-up of the course best suited to horses drawn between barriers two and eight.
Barrier 10 is the most recent Underwood Stakes winning barrier with Sir Delius in 2025.
Barrier 10 is also the latest Underwood Stakes gate to produce back-to-back winners with Buckaroo (2024) and Sir Delius (2025).
Six Underwood Stakes winners from 2000-2025 jumped from double-digit gates most recently Dundeel (12 in 2013), Buckaroo (10 in 2024) and Sir Delius (10 in 2025).
Barrier 13 is the widest barrier to produce an Underwood Stakes winner between 2000 and 2025 with Rubiscent the latest to salute from that gate in 2007.
What is the most successful recent Underwood Stakes barrier draw?
Barriers 4 and 6 have both produced four Underwood Stakes winners between 2000 and 2025, most recently Mourinho (barrier 4 in 2015) and Black Heart Bart (barrier 6 in 2019).
Breakdown of winning Underwood Stakes barriers between 2000-25:
- Barrier 1 – 0
- Barrier 2 – 3 (latest Alligator Blood in 2022)
- Barrier 3 – 3 (latest Zaaki in 2021)
- Barrier 4 – 4 (latest Mourinho in 2015)
- Barrier 5 – 2 (latest Homesman in 2018)
- Barrier 6 – 4 (latest Black Heart Bart in 2019)
- Barrier 7 – 2 (latest El Segundo in 2006)
- Barrier 8 – 2 (latest Alligator Blood in 2023)
- Barrier 9 – 0
- Barrier 10 – 2 (latest Sir Delius in 2025)
- Barrier 11 – 0
- Barrier 12 – 2 (latest Dundeel in 2013)
- Barrier 13 – 2 (latest Rubiscent in 2007)
Underwood Stakes Betting Favourites
Favourites in Underwood Stakes betting are those horses that jump at the shortest Underwood Stakes odds.
Last Underwood Stakes favourite to win: Sir Delius ($2.10 in 2025)
Last odds-on Underwood Stakes favourite to win: Zaaki ($1.18 in 2021)
Last Underwood Stakes favourite to finish worse than third: Place Du Carrousel (8th in 2024)
The last Underwood Stakes favourite to finish worse than third and miss out on a spot in the Underwood Stakes trifecta was Place Du Carrousel who started at $3.80 before running eighth to Buckaroo ($9) in 2024.
Underwood Stakes Form
We offer a complete Underwood Stakes form guide and expert analysis on every horse in the Underwood Stakes field in addition to insider Underwood Stakes racing tips and betting odds.
Our Underwood Stakes form guides include:
- Underwood Stakes race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all horses in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in the Underwood Stakes or you are an expert Underwood Stakes tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the Underwood Stakes.
How to Read the Underwood Stakes Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s Underwood Stakes form guide:
Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in the Underwood Stakes race.
Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the Underwood Stakes as this can impact performance.
Underwood Stakes Day Betting
Underwood Stakes Day betting is dominated by online Underwood Stakes bets, but there are also a host of exciting support races that the TAB NZ offer top Caulfield racing odds on.
The Underwood Stakes one of two Group 1 events on the card, and the other Group status Underwood Stakes Day races to check out our insider Melbourne racing tips for include the:
- Group 1 A$1,000,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m),
- Group 3 A$300,000 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), and the
- Group 3 A$200,000 Naturalism Stakes (2000m).
Moving back from mid-November in 2025, the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) will be run on Saturday, September 20, reinstating its traditional position in the spring calendar. This shift not only creates a dual Group 1 meeting in September alongside the Underwood Stakes (1800m) but also restores its important three-week gap before the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) on Caulfield Guineas Day.
Underwood Stakes Results
The Underwood Stakes results are known when the event takes place on a Saturday in late September.
You can bet on the Underwood Stakes race results weeks ahead of race day with our futures Underwood Stakes markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the Underwood Stakes results entails picking the Underwood Stakes winning horse and we can help you place an informed bet on the Underwood Stakes with our Underwood Stakes tips and form guide.
Other Underwood Stakes results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete Underwood Stakes finishing order shows what position every horse in the traditional 16-horse field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in the Underwood Stakes results!
Underwood Stakes exotic results show how all the exotic Underwood Stakes bet types resulted like the Underwood Stakes Quinella, Underwood Stakes Exacta, Underwood Stakes Trifecta, and Underwood Stakes First Four.
Underwood Stakes Jockeys
Securing a ride in the Underwood Stakes field is a highly sought-after achievement for jockeys around Australia and New Zealand. Winning this important spring lead-up race is a nice early campaign goal for many of Australasia’s top riders looking to secure a Group 1 trophy during the carnival.
What jockeys are riding in the Underwood Stakes field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official Underwood Stakes jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Craig Williams is the latest Underwood Stakes winning jockey having ridden Sir Delius to victory in 2025.
Who are the most successful recent Underwood Stakes jockeys? Between 2000 and 2025 three jockeys have ridden three Underwood Stakes winners to victory with: Danny Nikolic (Mummify in 2003, Perlin in 2005, and Rubiscent in 2007); Brad Rawiller (Weekend Hussler in 2008, and Black Heart Bart in 2006 and 2009); and Damien Oliver (Northerly in 2001, Russian Camelot in 2020, and Alligator Blood in 2023).
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the Underwood Stakes horses this spring.
Underwood Stakes Trainers
Since the year 2010, New Zealand trainers Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman have been the most successful Underwood Stakes trainers having prepared three winners with Lion Tamer (2011), Dundeel (2013), and Bonneval (2017).
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott are the latest Underwood Stakes winning trainers having prepared Sir Delius to victory in 2025. The win handed them their third success in four years after the back-to-back wins by dual champ Alligator Blood in 2022-23.
Underwood Stakes Winners
Notable Underwood Stakes winners throughout history include:
Phar Lap (1931): One of the best known and most loved racehorses of all time, the Kiwi-bred champion is part of racing folklore for his incredible feats on the track including the Melbourne Cup (1930) as well as his untimely and mysterious death.
Hall Mark (1933-34): Legendary Australian Thoroughbred stallion trained by the esteemed Jack Holt. He showcased his versatility by winning races at various distances, from sprints to long races. Hall Mark’s impressive career included 18 victories, often ridden by legendary jockeys Bill Duncan and Frank Dempsey. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Hall Mark was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2019.
Ajax (1938-40): Racing sensation Ajax was on an 18-straight winning streak before going down at 40/1 to end the charmed run in 1939. Some of his best-known victories were three-peats in the Underwood Stakes, Memsie Stakes, Futurity Stakes, and All Aged Stakes between 1938 and 1940.
Lord (1958 & 1960): Kiwi-bred champion who most famously won the Memsie Stakes on four occasions.
Tobin Bronze (1966): Star weight-for-age galloper of the 1960s who twice won the Cox Plate in 1966 and 1967.
Bonecrusher (1986): Iconic Kiwi thoroughbred who developed a cult-like following with race fans during the 1980s. Went on to win the Cox Plate in the same year.
Octagonal (1996): Legendary New Zealand-bred, Australian-raced Thoroughbred affectionately known as “The Big O” or “Occy.” Sired by the champion Zabeel, Octagonal’s remarkable career solidified her status as a racing icon and he was awarded the Australian Champion Two Year Old (1995), Australian Champion Three Year Old (1996), and Australian Horse of the Year (1996).
Tie The Knot (1998): 13-time Group 1 winner and champion stayer who famously won the Sydney Cup twice in 1998 and 1999 as well as showing off his versatility with four consecutive victories in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1999-2002).
Northerly (2001-02): Dual champion Northerly is widely considered one of Australia’s finest middle-distance thoroughbred horses of the early 2000s. Trained by the legendary Western Australian harness racing trainer Fred Kersley, he achieved remarkable success, winning nine Group 1 races, including claiming both the Australian Cup and Cox Plate on two occasions.
Black Heart Bart (2016, 2019): Dual champion three years apart he is the oldest Underwood Stakes winner claiming his second in 2019 as a nine-year-old. He contested the race four years running also unplaced in 2017 (5th) and 2018 (7th).
Sir Delius (2025): Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott’s untapped import was enormous second-up with the well-bred son of boom sire Frankel charging up the middle late to wear down the defending champion Buckaroo in a hugely exciting finish to the 2025 edition.
Bet on the next Underwood Stakes winner with our comprehensive Underwood Stakes form guide and expert Underwood Stakes tips at the TAB NZ!
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.