Birdman's Underwood Stakes victory fuels Cox Plate aspirations

Former champion jockey Darren Beadman finds himself in awe of trainer Chris Waller following the impressive performance of Birdman at Caulfield.

Birdman achieved his second Group 1 milestone when he triumphed in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) on Saturday. This win has propelled the galloper into the position of second favourite for the prestigious Cox Plate (2000m) scheduled for October 24 at Flemington.

Chris Waller has masterfully guided Birdman through his racing grades. The gelding had not previously tasted success at the highest level until his victory in the Doomben Cup (2000m) in May.

Now, with Birdman circling the field to secure the prize on Saturday, the Cox Plate awaits.

Under the guidance of jockey Ben Melham, Birdman ($6) comfortably surged past the heavily backed $2.25 favourite Cosmic Crusader, securing a 1-¾ length win. The outsider Attrition ($101) trailed a further 2-¼ lengths behind in third place.

Birdman had pleased the Waller team with his first-up run, finishing sixth in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29.

The gelding was initially nominated for the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday. However, Waller made the strategic decision to hold Birdman back for an extra week, instead giving the gelding a 1000m jump-out at Flemington the preceding week.

"Chris just gets the timing perfectly right when it comes to placing these horses, knowing when to put the acid on them," Beadman commented.

"He ran in a nice lead-up race in the Memsie, into this, and before Ben went out, he said they are going to pair up very quickly.

"He said 'I could be box set', but he backed his judgement, got on the back of Willie Pike (Cosmic Crusader). He dragged him into the race perfectly.

"He was the fresh horse on the scene. He stood up to be counted today and it was a great ride by Benny and a great effort by the Melbourne staff."

Having experienced defeat earlier in the year in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington, Beadman noted that Birdman now presents a stronger profile.

"The 2000 metres at Flemington looks made to order in a sense," Beadman added.

"I think he's a better mile-and-a-quarter horse than he is a 2400-metre horse.

"Keep the freshness in his legs and he's got that acceleration. We'll leave that to the master trainer. He's been there plenty of time and he knows what it takes."

Waller is no stranger to success in the Cox Plate, having secured victory in six of the past eleven runnings.

Beadman suggested that the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3 is likely to be Birdman's next assignment.

Melham described Birdman as a revelation during his recent campaign.

"He really found his niche last time in and put the writing on the wall first-up," Melham stated.

"I gave him a squeeze just to pick him up and he picked him up quickly. He got there too soon and it's not his go as he had a good look around, but he won with a bit in hand, so I think he's a good 2000-metre horse now.

"He's in the right barn, they know what they're doing with him, and they've got him flying."

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