2021 Underwood Stakes betting preview & tips | September 25
| What | 2021 Underwood Stakes |
| Where | Sandown Hillside Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 |
| When | Saturday, September 25, 2021 | 3:45pm AEST | Race 7 |
| Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
| Distance | 1800m |
| Status | Group 1 |
| Race Conditions | Weight For Age | Three-Year-Olds & Upwards |
| 2020 Winner | Russian Camelot (8) | Trainer: Danny O’Brien | Jockey: Damien Oliver (56.5kg) |
| Watch Live | |
The Group 1 Underwood Stakes is the feature event on the Sandown Hillside card on Saturday afternoon. Zaaki is a red-hot $1.28 favourite in the 1800m weight-for-age race and looks incredibly hard to beat as he pushes to make it four wins in succession and a second Group 1 win. He will set the speed from barrier three, with Probabeel and The Chosen One likely to take a sit while Fifty Stars and Superstorm settle at the rear.
There is little doubt that Zaaki is one of the best horses in Australia at the moment. His win over 1400m in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes was as arrogant as they come, and the seven-year-old gelding looks to have returned in fine order en route to a run in the Cox Plate. If there is a query, it is that this will be the first time he runs ‘the Melbourne way’ under raceday conditions since arriving in Australia. Craig Williams will hop on board and will no doubt want to get a feel as to what type of motor Zaaki possesses. Annabel Neasham’s star runner has three wins when second-up from a spell, and as much as we do not like throwing the ‘M’ word around, Zaaki is a moral in the Underwood Stakes.
Probabeel looks to be the only danger as he backs up from the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last weekend. From barrier two, Brett Prebble will make sure the three-time Group 1 winner is there within striking distance if Zaaki shows any vulnerability whatsoever.
Best bets for 2021 Underwood Stakes
| Underwood Stakes $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $100 win | Zaaki |