Samovare chasing Cup start in G1 Underwood

Lindsay Park is keen to add to its arsenal of Caulfield Cup runners.

The stable already has Harlem tucked away in the field courtesy of his win in the Naturalism Stakes while Ventura Storm and He’s Our Rokkii sit around the cut-off point.

Victory in Sunday’s Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield would give former Perth mare Samovare a berth in next month’s $3 million Caulfield Cup.

She is 48th in the order of entry and senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes is keen to run the mare in the Cup with 50kg.

If she is successful on Sunday, Samovare cannot be re-handicapped for the Caulfield Cup and would go straight into the race without another run.

Only five mares have won the Underwood Stakes since its inception in 1924, the last being Tristarc who went on to win the Caulfield Cup in 1985.

Samovare was successful at Moonee Valley on September 9, the same day Bonneval, an opponent on Sunday, won the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

She then finished second to her stablemate Harlem at Caulfield last week.

“I got that race rated and it was a rating of a weight-for-age horse, beaten by a weight-for-age horse,” Hayes said.

“And when she won at Moonee Valley that race rated very similar to the Dato winner and that tells me she’s worth having a crack at the Dato winner on Sunday.

“A win in the Underwood gets her a (Caulfield Cup) start and no penalty.

“It’s a good way in.”

Hayes said victory on Sunday, or even a placing, would cement Samovare’s future as a broodmare.

“If she wins or is Group One placed, she’s worth millions,” he said.

“It’s a $750,000 race and they’re good to run in when you’re in form.

“She’s healthy and well and I think coming back to 1800 metres in eight days will be perfect.”

Lindsay Park will also run He’s Our Rokkii in Sunday’s race in preference to the Epsom Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.

Hayes said Sunday’s race was the perfect way forward towards the Caulfield Cup.

Hartnell is the $1.95 favourite for the Underwood ahead of Bonneval at $4.80 with Samovare a $23 chance and He’s Our Rokkii at $26.

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