Underwood Stakes 2026 Betting Odds - Cosmic Crusader Leads the Market

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Mon 14 Sep 2026 08:44

Bets.com.au Staff 14 Sep 2026

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Cosmic Crusader tops betting for the 2026 Underwood Stakes after a strong Memsie Stakes run
The race acts as a key lead-up to major Melbourne spring features and boasts a prestigious history
Recent winners include Alligator Blood (2023), Buckaroo (2024), and Sir Delius (2025)

Expired

Sir Delius (ctr) winning the 2025 Underwood Stakes. (Getty)

Caulfield hosts another major Group 1 of the spring on Saturday, September 19, with the Underwood Stakes bringing a quality weight-for-age field together over 1800m.

Underwood Stakes 2026 Betting Odds
Underwood Stakes Winners

Cosmic Crusader is the $3 favourite with BetRight after producing an eye-catching third in the Memsie Stakes first-up at Caulfield.

The Andrea Leek-trained gelding was forced back from a wide barrier and met interference around the 600m before making strong late ground behind Beiwacht, with the rise from 1400m to 1800m expected to be firmly in his favour.

Birdman is next at $4 after finishing sixth in the Memsie Stakes, where he resumed over a distance short of his best.

The Chris Waller-trained import is another who should appreciate the step up to 1800m second-up, having established himself as a genuine middle-distance performer during his previous campaign.

Buckaroo is close behind at $4.40 following a fifth in the Memsie Stakes on his return.

The experienced Waller galloper was beaten just over four lengths there after settling back from barrier 10, and he now returns to the race he won in 2024 as he looks to build deeper into his spring preparation.

Aeliana is quoted at $6 after a quiet first-up performance in the Winx Stakes at Randwick, where she finished 11th over 1400m.

That trip was always expected to be short of her best, with the multiple Group 1 winner having claimed both the Ranvet Stakes and Tancred Stakes during the autumn, and the rise to 1800m represents a much more suitable assignment.

Lindermann shares the next line at $6 and comes into the race off a strong victory in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600m at Randwick on September 5.

The Chris Waller-trained gelding controlled that race from the front before defeating Ceolwulf by 1¾ lengths, and he now steps to 1800m after finishing runner-up to Aeliana in the Ranvet Stakes over 2000m during the autumn.

Underwood Stakes 2026 Betting Odds

Horse	Win
Cosmic Crusader	$3.00
Birdman	$4.00
Buckaroo	$4.40
Aeliana	$6.00
Lindermann	$6.00
Kingswood	$15.00
Saint George	$15.00
Royal Supremacy	$26.00
Evaporate	$26.00
Piggyback	$26.00
Pinstriped	$26.00
Middle Earth	$51.00
Soulcombe	$51.00
Asterix	$51.00
Attrition	$101.00

Odds provided by BetRight & correct on 14/09/2026.

Underwood Stakes History

Along with carrying its own prestige as a Group 1 weight-for-age feature, the Underwood Stakes has long been an important form reference for many of the major races of the Melbourne spring.

First run in 1924 and won by Whittier, who successfully defended his title a year later, the race quickly established itself as one of Caulfield’s key weight-for-age contests.

Now run over 1800m, the Underwood Stakes often serves as an important stepping stone towards races such as the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Turnbull Stakes, while the winner also receives ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup.

The race has been won by some of the great names of Australian racing, including Phar Lap, Ajax, Bonecrusher, Octagonal and So You Think, underlining the quality traditionally associated with the event.

Its position in September makes it a particularly useful guide to horses stepping up in distance through the spring, especially those progressing from shorter weight-for-age races earlier in their campaigns.

The most recent winners are Alligator Blood in 2023, Buckaroo in 2024 and Sir Delius, who claimed the 2025 edition at Caulfield.