UNDERWOOD STAKES DESCRIBED AS THE TOUGHEST IN A DECADE

WITH leading trainers declaring the Group 1 $350,000 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday the toughest in a decade, bookmakers are likely to take some risks with the hot favorite, Whobegotyou.

In his weekly message to punters, Mark Read of IASbet.com has suggested Typhoon Tracy will enjoy a soft lead and represents better value. The Peter Moody-trained mare has already firmed from $8 to $7.50.

“No doubt Whobegotyou is the best weight-for-age horse currently going around,” Read said. “However the quick back-up, and getting back in the field during a race with not much early speed at Caulfield, concerns me.

“Typhoon Tracy on the other hand will enjoy a soft lead, is at peak fitness and relishes the Caulfield track. On that thought, I regard her as a legitimate each-way investment.”

Read has tipped an improved performance from Heart of Dream given the prediction of a firm track (it was a Dead 5 Friday morning but expected to improve). “He has had no luck recently and draws well here, whilst bookies are entitled to risk Vigor ($6 to $6.50). I also believe Predatory Pricer ($12 to $11) is likely to be unsuited by the inside draw, and therefore he is another horse I intend to lay.”

Trainer Mark Kavanagh has decribed the $350,000 weight-for-age Underwood Stakes as the strongest race in Australia in the past 10 years. “This field is outrageously strong. It’s a fair dinkum race of top class horses.”

Danny O’Brien, who has three runners including Makybe Diva Stakes winner, Vigor, agreed: “I cannot remember when Melbourne had a weight-for-age race to match the depth in the Underwood.”

There are 14 Group 1 winners in the field, including first emergency, the Kiwi Maco’reilly.

Trainer Peter Moody has hinted at a change of tactics for Typhoon Tracy from her wide draw. “I don’t want her to be the bunny as pacemaker for other runners. There is no necessity for her to lead,” he said. “If we decide on a riding change I will be informing the stewards."