Foreteller To Need Luck In Underwood Stakes

Trainer Chris Waller is delighted with the form of Foreteller, but believes that the veteran gelding will need some luck to win the 2014 Underwood Stakesat Caulfield on Saturday.

Foreteller will be chasing his first race win in over a year when he contests the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Foreteller will be chasing his first race win in over a year when he contests the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Foreteller returned to racing with a promising fourth behind Star Rolling in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16 before he flew home late to finish third in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 6.

Waller said that Foreteller is back to his best form and he is confident that the Dansili gelding is a genuine winning chance in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), but may need a few things to go his way in order to record his third victory at Group 1 level.

“He is not racing like an older horse, he is still racing with that zest and he attacked the line well in both runs back from a spell,” Waller said.

“Caulfield should not be too much of a problem especially from a good draw, but I just think that he needs an element of luck.

“He needs to be sixth or seventh at the 600 metre mark and travelling and he needs a few gaps to come his way because he can’t be going around them all.

“He needs a bit of pace on from the half mile and that will create a genuine tempo.

“He will let down and be in for a fight.”

The Underwood Stakes has not drawn as strong a field as it did last year, where It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel did battle in what was arguably the best race of the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, but still features a number of talented gallopers.

Waller believes that Star Rolling is the biggest danger to Foreteller in the 2014 Underwood Stakes field, but he feels that there are a number of chances in the Group 1 event.

“Star Rolling, I think it will be the one to beat and that will be in front, while Stipulate is racing well and is a very good horse,” Waller said.

Silent Achiever you can’t underestimate her and when you go through them there are some good chances.

“It is a good field and the best horse will win.”

Foreteller is currently available at 2014 Underwood Stakes odds of $4.80 and is on the second line of betting behind four-time Group 1 winner Silent Achiever ($3.20), while Stipulate ($6) has been the best-backed runner with Ladbrokes Australia.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.