Underwood Stakes 2025 - Barrier Draw & Final Field
The 2025 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, set for September 20, promises top-class racing with a strong field vying for Group 1 honours. Key contenders include Sir Delius, backing impressive form, Buckaroo defending his title, US import Moira, and form-gelding Desert Lightning. The Underwood, a historic race, grants the winner a Caulfield Cup ballot exemption and often shapes spring racing narratives. Action points: Watch leading runners, track barriers, and monitor how the event hints at likely Caulfield Cup contenders.
- The 2025 Underwood Stakes takes place at Caulfield on September 20
- Key contenders: Sir Delius, Buckaroo, Moira, Desert Lightning
- Winner earns Caulfield Cup exemption; race is a major spring target
Buckaroo has drawn barrier eight in the 2025 Underwood Stakes. (Getty)
The 2025 Underwood Stakes, to be run on Saturday, September 20 at Caulfield, shapes as one of the highlights of the early spring, with the 1800m feature joined by the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes to deliver a double dose of Group 1 racing on a high-class program.
- Underwood Stakes 2025 - Barriers & Final Field
- Underwood Stakes Winners
Sir Delius (barrier 11) is among the headline acts. Lightly raced but already proven on the world stage, the Frankel entire contested last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe before making a seamless transition to Australian racing.
He announced himself with a Group 3 victory in the Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben and resumed this spring with a narrow second to Lindermann over 1600m.
That run underlined his progress and confirmed that the rise to 1800m at Caulfield is likely to bring out even more.
Buckaroo (barrier 8) is out to defend his crown in the Underwood, having kicked off this campaign with a fast-finishing third in the Memsie Stakes behind Treasurethe Moment.
That performance highlighted his trademark consistency, and with proven form over the Caulfield 1800m plus placings in both the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup last year, he again shapes as a major player.
Moira (barrier 4), a Chris Waller-trained import and dual Group 1 winner in the United States, has been working into her preparation steadily.
She hinted at improvement when finishing strongly second-up at The Valley and the extra distance at Caulfield should play right into her strengths.
Her established record over longer trips makes her an intriguing player as she continues to adapt to local conditions.
Desert Lightning (barrier 3) also commands attention after a consistent run of form. The gelding’s only recent miss came in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, where he was luckless in finishing fourth.
He recorded a deserved victory last start at Moonee Valley, getting the better of Moira in the So You Think Stakes, and brings winning momentum into this assignment.
Underwood Stakes 2025 - Barriers & Final Field
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knight’s Choice | John Symons & Sheila Laxon | Robbie Dolan | 6 | 59kg |
| 2 | Buckaroo (GB) | Chris Waller | Blake Shinn | 8 | 59kg |
| 3 | Smokin’ Romans (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | John Allen | 2 | 59kg |
| 4 | Desert Lightning (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 3 | 59kg |
| 5 | Casino Seventeen | Gavin Bedggood | Billy Egan | 9 | 59kg |
| 6 | Land Legend (FR) | Chris Waller | Michael Dee | 12 | 59kg |
| 7 | Middle Earth (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 1 | 59kg |
| 8 | Golden Path (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jordan Childs | 7 | 59kg |
| 9 | Sir Delius (GB) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Craig Williams | 11 | 59kg |
| 10 | Moira (CAN) | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 4 | 57kg |
| 11 | Zardozi | Ciaron Maher | Jamie Melham | 10 | 57kg |
| 12 | Anisette (GB) | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 5 | 57kg |
Underwood Stakes Winners
Along with carrying its own weight as a Group 1 contest under weight-for-age conditions, the Underwood Stakes has long been regarded as an important spring pointer. The past two editions have featured runners such as Attrition, Without A Fight, Soulcombe, Duais, Duke De Sessa and Knight’s Choice.
The event was first staged in 1924, when Whittier claimed the inaugural running before returning the following year to defend his crown. Run over 1800m, the Underwood provides the winner with a ballot-exempt passage into the Caulfield Cup, further cementing its role in shaping the spring carnival.
With champions like Phar Lap, Ajax, Bonecrusher, Octagonal and So You Think on its honour roll, the race boasts a rich history in its own right, while also serving as a proven stepping stone to bigger spring targets.
More recently, Alligator Blood secured back-to-back victories in 2022 and 2023, before Buckaroo added his name to the honour roll in 2024.
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