2022 Underwood Stakes preview & betting strategy | September 25

It might only be a field of six going around in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Sandown on Sunday, but it is a field that oozes quality in every way. An impressive 10 Group 1 wins are littered between the runners, so it is sure to be a stunning spectacle.

Having claimed this race 12 months ago, the Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki ($2.60) heads the market with online bookmakers, while last-start Makybe Diva Stakes winner I’m Thunderstruck ($3.20) sits on the second line of betting. Mr Brightside ($4.80) and Alligator Blood ($7) simply cannot be ruled out, while Mo’unga ($21) and Nonconformist ($81) will be looking to spoil the party in Sunday’s Group 1.

In the small field, tactics will be of utmost importance. Zaaki and I’m Alligator Blood will look to take up the running with Mr Brightside and Nonconformist expected to settled in behind them. I’m Thunderstruck and Mo’unga will be at the rear of the field but will not be far from the pace throughout the 1800m event.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Underwood Stakes.

I’m Thunderstruck deadset flew home over the final furlong at Flemington in the Makybe Diva Stakes and managed to grab Alligator Blood on the line to claim victory. The emerging superstar from the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr looks like he will appreciate every bit of the extra 200m he gains on Sunday and considering he beat half of his rivals last time out, there is no reason he cannot replicate that result once again. This will be his first start at 1800m, but what he showed in the Makybe Diva suggests the step up in trip will be no issue. With Zaaki and Alligator Blood set to duke it out for the early supremacy, it should set the race up perfectly for I’m Thunderstruck to build through the gears and when asked for an effort, we expect thunder to strike at Sandown on Sunday afternoon.

Zaaki is the only market fancy who has run and won at 1800m, with only outsider Mo’unga and Nonconformist tasting success further than 1600m. He returned with a smart all-the-way victory in the Tramway Stakes at Randwick on September 3 and with Jamie Kah getting back on board is sure to look the winner at one point or another. The seven-year-old gelding hasn’t always been a punters friend, failing to salute six times in his career as favourite. However, he is the clear star of the field at the moment and if he is anywhere near what he is capable of, Zaaki might just blow his rivals away.

Alligator Blood looked to have the Makybe Diva Stakes sewn up for 1599m of the 1600m, but was nabbed late. Whilst Mr Brightside swept aside his Feehan Stakes rivals at his last start, but this is his hardest test to date. Both of these runners deserve their chance against the likes of Zaaki and I’m Thunderstruck, but will both will need to go to another level to claim victory in the Underwood.

2022 Underwood Stakes selections & best bets

• 2

  I’M THUNDERSTRUCK

• 1

  ZAAKI

• 3

  ALLIGATOR BLOOD

• 4

  MR BRIGHTSIDE

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