Caulfield's Underwood Stakes field to be finalised by Chris Waller

The composition of the Underwood Stakes field at Caulfield is set to be determined by barrier positions and the anticipated pace of the race, according to trainer Chris Waller.

Chris Waller has nominated six contenders for the prestigious Group 1 weight-for-age event over 1800 metres scheduled for Saturday. The nominated horses are Aeliana, Buckaroo, Lindermann, Birdman, Asterix, and Soulcombe.

Further complicating the decision-making process, Aeliana and Lindermann also hold entries for the Group 2 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Meanwhile, Asterix and Soulcombe are nominated for the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

Waller expressed a leaning towards dispatching Aeliana and Lindermann to Melbourne, but he plans to await final acceptances and scrutinise the barrier draw before making any definitive choices.

"Blake Shinn is booked to ride in the Underwood if he comes down, so we're well prepared," Waller confirmed. "He deserves his chance in a Group 1 race. The whole of last year was built around getting his confidence up and running against the best horses. He did run second in the Queen Elizabeth, so it was good to see him bounce back to form last start."

Lindermann demonstrated a return to winning form in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 5. This followed his ninth-place finish behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes (1400m) the previous month.

Aeliana, who trailed Lindermann in the Winx Stakes, remained in Sydney after her scheduled start in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday was withdrawn.

Aeliana's single outing since a spell resulted in a last-place finish behind Autumn Glow.

"Her first-up run was disappointing," Waller commented. "We thought she was out of her comfort zone, and we saw Lindermann bounce back off a flat run in the Winx Stakes, so there is no reason why she can't. I would like to see her draw well and when you want to get a horses confidence levels up, and you draw wide in an Underwood Stakes and well in a 7 Stakes, I'd rather keep her in Sydney, but if she draws well in the Underwood, I would say she will come down."

Two horses confirmed to take their place in the Underwood Stakes are Birdman and Buckaroo.

Both gallopers were scratched from the Makybe Diva Stakes last weekend and subsequently participated in a 1000m jump-out at Flemington last Friday.

Waller indicated that bypassing the Makybe Diva Stakes was the correct strategic move for the pair.

"It would have been hard to win last week, and Autumn Boy was good running second behind Sheza Alibi which was great for their team, and it franked the form behind Autumn Glow," Waller remarked. "I think we made the right decision and Birdman and Buckaroo will be here on Saturday. They had a trial on Friday and will have a maintenance gallop. Birdman was terrific first-up, so was Buckaroo and they're ready to peak over 1800 metres."

Soulcombe underwent a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday with Blake Shinn in the saddle, and the jockey expressed satisfaction with the stayer's performance.

The runner-up in the 2023 Melbourne Cup has competed only once since that campaign, finishing near the rear in the Heatherlie Handicap (1700m) on August 29, following a lay-off due to injury.

"I think we might have had him a bit overdone in terms of his weight first-up," Waller explained. "We worked really hard during his prep work to get weight off him to help his legs, and we might have left him with no energy. We've upped his energy levels, and I think he looks better in his coat. He was disappointing last start, so there is no reason why he could not bounce back. It's a big step to win second-up, but I would like to see him be competitive."

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