Underwood Stakes 2026 Betting Odds - Sir Delius Sets the Standard
The 2026 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, set for September 19, is a pivotal Group 1 weight-for-age race drawing the nation’s elite middle-distance horses. Defending champion Sir Delius heads betting at $4, followed by Cosmic Crusader and Birdman. The race not only confers prestige but also offers a critical ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup. Aeliana, focusing on longer spring features, is another notable contender in the field. The event maintains its historical significance as a key stepping-stone in the Melbourne spring racing calendar.
- Sir Delius tops betting for the 2026 Underwood Stakes at $4
- Other main contenders: Cosmic Crusader ($5), Birdman ($6), and Aeliana ($8)
- The race is a key Group 1 lead-up to major Melbourne spring events and Caulfield Cup
Sir Delius (ctr) winning the 2025 Underwood Stakes. (Getty)
Caulfield hosts one of the key early weight-for-age clashes of the Melbourne spring when the Underwood Stakes is run over 1800m on Saturday, September 19.
The Group 1 feature has attracted a strong early market, with Sir Delius heading betting at $4 with BetRight after establishing himself as one of Australia’s leading middle-distance gallopers last season.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained entire won the 2025 Underwood Stakes and Turnbull Stakes before returning in the autumn to add the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m, giving him three victories at the highest level for the season.
Cosmic Crusader occupies the second line of betting at $5 after making a winning return in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield on July 25.
The Andrew Leek-trained galloper has continued to progress rapidly through the grades, and his first-up victory adds further interest as he stretches out towards the middle-distance features during the spring.
Birdman is rated a $6 chance following an outstanding autumn and winter campaign that confirmed his credentials in weight-for-age company.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding won the Blamey Stakes and Peter Young Stakes before breaking through at Group 1 level in the Doomben Cup in May, with the 1800m Underwood Stakes appearing an ideal distance during his spring preparation.
Aeliana sits on the next line at $8 after an autumn campaign highlighted by back-to-back Group 1 victories in the Ranvet Stakes and Tancred Stakes.
Chris Waller has indicated the Cox Plate is a major spring target for the mare, making the Underwood Stakes a natural option as she builds towards the longer weight-for-age features later in the carnival.
Underwood Stakes 2026 Betting Odds
| Runner | Win Odds |
|---|---|
| Sir Delius | $4.00 |
| Cosmic Crusader | $5.00 |
| Birdman | $6.00 |
| Aeliana | $8.00 |
| Yellow Jersey | $11.00 |
| Well Written | $11.00 |
| Royal Supremacy | $15.00 |
| Shes A Hustler | $15.00 |
| Pericles | $15.00 |
| Ohope Wins | $15.00 |
| Light Infantry Man | $15.00 |
| Half Yours | $15.00 |
| Green Spaces | $15.00 |
| Buckaroo | $15.00 |
| Barnavara | $15.00 |
| Tom Kitten | $15.00 |
| Lindermann | $15.00 |
| Others | $26.00+ |
Odds provided by BetRight & correct on 10/08/2026.
Underwood Stakes Winners
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 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 has developed into one of Caulfield’s most significant weight-for-age contests.
Run over 1800m, the Underwood Stakes also offers the winner ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup, adding further importance to its position on the spring calendar.
Champions including Phar Lap, Ajax, Bonecrusher, Octagonal and So You Think feature on an outstanding honour roll, highlighting the quality of gallopers to have won the race over the years.
The most recent winners are Alligator Blood in 2023, Buckaroo in 2024 and Sir Delius, who claimed the 2025 edition at Caulfield.
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