The only mare in the field of ten for this Saturday’s Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, has opened the favourite with bookmakers. Silent Achiever is rated a $3.30 chance as she searches for her fifth Group 1 victory. She ran sixth in this race last year but a better draw and a drier track for this year’s renewal, has punters believing she can crack it for her first Caulfield win, a circuit which surprisingly she has yet to place on from four attempts. On the second line of betting is Foreteller ($4.60), another who contested this race last year but who also didn’t produce his best on what was a slow rated track. Next are two horses headed toward the big spring feature races and who both produced fantastic efforts at their most recent starts, their first outing for the spring. The Offer ($6.50), the current favourite for the Melbourne Cup, and Stipulate ($7.50)

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Underwood Stakes 2014 Field

1. HAPPY TRAILS – M Rodd (6)

As was the case when he ran fourth in this race last year, beaten 1.1 lengths behind It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel, Happy Trials will contest this year’s edition third up from a spell after producing similar runs in the G1 Memsie Stakes. He settled back in the Memsie from an inside drawn, a race dominated by those on speed, and as he was building into his run to the line, was tightened at a crucial stage, causing him to lose momentum. Should’ve finished closer in the Memsie and from a more favourable draw here, will get his opportunity to at least go as well as last year.

2. FORETELLER – G Boss (2)

His two runs back from a spell have been very good and he looks cherry ripe for this. First up he made good ground from the back of the field to run fourth (2.2 lengths) behind Star Rolling in the G2 P B Lawrence Stakes before, from last, he finish at a rate of knots to claim third behind The Cleaner – who had dominated from out in front, in the G2 Dato’ Tan (1600m). Third up last prep he ran third, beaten only a neck, to Fiorente and Green Moon in the G1 Australia Cup (2000m). Generally race well at his track and distance range; and would have to rate one of the strongest chances.

3. SUPER COOL – C Newitt (7)

Did all he could do when returning from a ten month break in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at the end of last month, finishing tenth (6.5 lengths). Stepping up to the mile of the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes last week, saw him hold his ground in the run home from the second half of the field, to run eighth (5 lengths) behind Dissident and Fawkner – both who settled much closer to the speed. Must have come through that run well to be backing up here a week later and the extra furlong will suit. Really hit his peak at his fourth/fifth run in last campaign and reckon he might need this hit-out again, just to top him off.

4. THE OFFER – T Berry (8)

Dominated the Sydney staying features during the autumn and when markets opened for this year’s Melbourne Cup, it wasn’t a surprise to see him at the top. He further enhanced that position with a fantastic return to racing in last fortnight’s G2 Dato’ Tan Stakes (1600m). In a solidly ran affair, the 6yo was stretching out nicely over the concluding stages and hit the line well, claiming fifth and finishing within two lengths of the winner – The Cleaner. First look at Caulfield, which can be a tricky track for first-timer to negotiate, but hard to ignore his chances after the first up run – especially if there should some rain about.

5. CRACKERJACK KING – M Walker (5)

Finished last and over a dozen lengths form the winner Tiger Tees in the Aurie’s Star but given it was his first start in two years and over an unsuitable 1200m, he could be forgiven. Much better a month later, at his only start since, when battling on well to run eighth (4 lengths) behind The Cleaner in the Dato’ Tan (1600m). Just didn’t have the condition to match it with The Cleaner who ensured it was a truly run race and will be fitter for that run again. Gets up to the distance range he his more comfortable with now and drawn well which should see him take up a nice spot.

6. LIDARI – L Nolen (1)

Drew wide when resuming in the P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) and pushed forward to sit handy to the speed in the run. Didn’t have the acceleration or fitness to improve his position and finished fifth (2.3 lengths) behind Star Rolling. Over a mile and with a more genuine speed up front, he was able to settle mid-field at his following start, last fortnight’s Dato’ Tan (1600m), where he worked home well after peeling out rounding the turn to finish fourth (1.3 lengths) behind The Cleaner. Will be at his peak now but has drawn the inside gate and for a horse that gets back on the Caulfield track, may require some luck from there.

7. STAR ROLLING – S Baster (4)

Crossed from a wide gate to sit on the speed and the toughed it out very well over the final stages to win the G2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) first up from a spell. He then went to the Valley to contest the Dato’ Tan and had the role of leading the rest of the field as they chased the leader and eventual winner The Cleaner home. Thought he was close enough on the point of the turn to finish better than his ninth (1.9 lengths) however, being second up and in a vulnerable position during the race, he could be forgiven. Enjoys racing at Caulfield and led when third up in the G2 Peter Young Stakes, this course and distance, last preparation when third (long neck) to Fiorente. Should be in this for a long way.

8. THOUGHT WORTHY – C Schofield (9)

Former European galloper purchased by the Team Williams camp who had two starts in Australia this time last year, finishing well beaten in both, and hasn’t been seen since. Been thrown in the deep end here first up and would think connections will be happy to see him just working home first up.

9. STIPULATE – D Dunn (10)

After finishing third in the G3 Easter Cup (2000m) back in April, the imported galloper was spelled by his trainer David Hayes and obviously enjoyed the break as he returned with a sensational win in the Listed Australia Bloodstock Stakes (1700m). He settled three back in the running and Dwayne Dunn had a lap full of horse as he confidently joined the leaders turning for home. He went right on with the job, defeating Brambles (won last Saturday) by 1.8 lengths. Takes a step up again here and has drawn wide but deserves close examination given the style of his first up victory.

10. SILENT ACHIEVER – D Oliver (3)

The 6yo mare had her best campaign yet when during then autumn carnival earlier this year, she claimed three consecutive Group 1 – including the G1 Ranvet and BMW Stakes and ran a commendable fourth (4.8 lengths) to It’s A Dundeel in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. She returned from that prep with a good fourth (3.5 lengths) to Dissident in the G2 Memsie Stakes. Settling behind the pace, the leader’s who included Dissident, just sprinter too well for here first up and pinched a vital length at the top of the straight. Ran sixth in this race last year when second up from a spell, finishing only two lengths from It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel. Drawn better this year, fitter for the first up hit-out and sure to be right in the thick of things late.

Underwood Stakes 2014 odds and results

RACE OVERVIEW

Star Rolling pushes forward with Crackerjack King, Lidari and Silent Achiever all handy from good draws. Wouldn’t discount the chances of Happy Trails here at a nice price. From gate six, he should be able to get a nice run behind the horse mentioned above and finishing off strongly. He’s finished in the top three – all group 1 races – at his last three starts at this distance range and should’ve finished closer in the Memsie. Foreteller looks primed for this third up and he’ll be finishing hard out wide with The Offer. Silent Achiever and Star Rolling the best of the on-pacers.

1. HAPPY TRAILS
2. FORETELLER
3. SILENT ACHIEVER
4. STAR ROLLING

News:

Chad Schofield’s spring carnival ambitions are in tatters after he was banned for 32 meetings for improper riding at Mornington on Wednesday.

The young jockey, who has had a tumultuous relationship with Victorian stewards, was outed for his ride on Saguaro in the W & P Truck Sales Handicap.

Stewards alleged Schofield turned his horse’s head in when racing in a three-wide position without cover passing the 1100m, making contact with Michelle Payne’s mount Something To Share and bumping her heavily twice.

Schofield finished in a position one off the fence at the 850m while Payne ended up near the rail.

While Schofield conceded the incident went on for too long, he didn’t feel it amounted to improper riding.

“I don’t believe it’s fair to be charged with improper riding,” Schofield told stewards.

“Michelle Payne has said it happens in most races and I can agree with her. Maybe not to the extent of this incident but improper riding, that’s pretty rough.

“There wasn’t heavy, solid contact. No-one was in danger.”

Schofield will ride at Caulfield this Saturday where his mounts include Thought Worthy for owner Lloyd Williams in the Group One Underwood Stakes.

He will start his ban after that meeting and won’t return until Caulfield Cup day on October 18.

A shattered Schofield reserved his plea and said he would consider whether to appeal the penalty.

Schofield only recently returned from a 27-day careless riding suspension.