David Gately Horse Racing Tips for Caulfield 19/9/26

The Group 1 Underwood Stakes over 1800m brings together a fascinating mix of established weight-for-age performers and horses building towards bigger spring targets.

The Memsie Stakes provides the key form line, with Cosmic Crusader, Birdman and Buckaroo all producing runs with plenty of merit on a day where settling position proved particularly important.

They now step to 1800m, while Lindermann arrives off an all-the-way win and could again prove dangerous if Caulfield continues to favour those near the speed.

David Gately's full Saturday package is now live for punters below.

 

 

David Gately’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes Preview – Caulfield 19/9/26

Track Rating and Patterns

The track is expected to be Good with the rail out 7m.

At the most recent meeting with the rail at 4m, races up to 1600m were heavily influenced by those settling near the speed, while the longer races gave the run-ons more opportunity.

With the first genuinely dry Caulfield surface in a while, the early pattern will be important to monitor.

 

Top Pick – #5 Cosmic Crusader

Cosmic Crusader has been outstanding this preparation.

He put together two excellent wins before attracting heavy support in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, where the race simply didn't unfold in his favour.

He settled back and wide on a day where the pattern was against that style of racing, yet still charged home strongly.

The step from 1400m to 1800m holds no fears.

His only previous attempt at the distance came when making the same sharp rise from 1400m to 1800m in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes in Western Australia, and he won.

With a more suitable race shape, Cosmic Crusader is the horse to beat.

 

 

#6 Birdman

Birdman was another to produce an excellent Memsie Stakes run despite having the pattern against him.

His work through the final 100m was particularly encouraging and points towards the rise to 1800m being right in his wheelhouse second-up.

He was an impressive winner of the Group 2 Blamey Stakes second-up last preparation, defeating Apulia. That form ties in nicely with Cosmic Crusader, who later had Apulia safely covered in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes.

Birdman should be hitting his straps now and looks a major danger.

 

#1 Lindermann

Lindermann appreciated getting back onto a dry surface second-up and returned to his best with a well-rated all-the-way victory over Ceolwulf.

The key question is how Caulfield races on Saturday.

If the track again favours leaders and those settling close to the speed, Lindermann becomes particularly dangerous. He can put himself into the race immediately and force the backmarkers to chase.

He's the runner who could take plenty of catching if the pattern falls his way.

 

 

#2 Buckaroo

There was a lot to like about the way Buckaroo finished off in the Memsie Stakes.

He was building strongly through the line and has an excellent record when second-up.

There is also a direct precedent for this setup. Buckaroo contested this race last year after making the same sharp rise to 1800m and produced a terrific performance.

He should take improvement from his return and gets to a distance that allows him to become a much bigger factor.

 

#8 Kingswood

Kingswood faces a serious class test against some established Group 1 weight-for-age horses.

He still deserves consideration for the minor placings, particularly if the race develops into a genuine 1800m contest.

 

Gately’s Underwood Stakes Selections

1. #5 Cosmic Crusader
2. #6 Birdman
3. #1 Lindermann
4. #2 Buckaroo
5. #8 Kingswood

 

There are loads of tips for today's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at theGreatTipOff.com.