Classy gelding Foreteller has produced an exceptional turn of foot in the final straight at Caulfield this afternoon, charging home to win the featured Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m); poking a nose clear late to beat Happy Trails on the line; Crackerjack King running on for third.
Foreteller has won the 2014 Underwood Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jumping from the barriers well, the Dansili gelding settled in prime position on the heels of early leaders Lidari and Star Rolling, who set only a fair tempo until Crackerjack King picked up the pace and took to the front of the pack with 600m to run.
Finding the final straight with a clear racing line, jockey Glen Boss steadily lead the seven-year-old forward, locking in a late pace battle with Happy Trails and just finding the line in the clear.
Stable representative for trainer Chris Waller, Justine Hales was thrilled with Foreteller’s victory in the Underwood Stakes and confirmed the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) as the major target this time in.
“He always tries, he’s very honest, I was a little bit worried today because he was a bit handier than usual and I was hoping he would sprint,” Hales said immediately after the Underwood Stakes.
“I think it was good the other horse came back a bit and he caught Happy Trails out of the corner of his eye and he kept trying.”
Jockey Glen Boss delivered a perfectly-timed ride on Foreteller in the 2014 Underwood Stakes and was quick to lay the praise on his veteran mount.
“Just nice to be part of this horse, I’ve only been on him twice but I’ve really enjoyed his charisma,” Boss said after the race.
“He put himself in a good spot today which is good from the barrier and he just kept creeping into the race.
“You’ve got to keep the bit up in his mouth as long as possible because you can nullify his sprint if you go too soon on him, so it just worked out great there.
“This is an important race here in the spring and an important race for me too, it’s been a long time in between drinks in Group 1’s.
“You’ve just got to ire this horse’s courage, he’s been here for a long time at this great level and he just keeps fronting up and doing his job.”
In winning the 2014 Underwood Stakes, Foreteller secured an eleventh victory in a career that now spans 45 competitive starts, and first at the highest level of Australian racing since taking out the 2013 Makybe Diva Stakes.
Punters who backed Foreteller to win the 2014 Underwood Stakes and had signed up for a Ladbrokes Card will already have access to their winnings!
2014 Underwood Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | FORETELLER (GB) | Chris Waller | Glen Boss | – | 2 | 59kg | $6.50 |
| 2 | 1 | HAPPY TRAILS | Paul Beshara | Michael Rodd | 0.1L | 6 | 59kg | $10 |
| 3 | 5 | CRACKERJACK KING (IRE) | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Michael Walker | 1.1L | 5 | 59kg | $51 |
| 4 | 6 | LIDARI (FR) | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 1.85L | 1 | 59kg | $11 |
| 5 | 10 | SILENT ACHIEVER (NZ) | Roger James | Damien Oliver | 2.05L | 3 | 57kg | $3.40F |
| 6 | 3 | SUPER COOL | Mark Kavanagh | Craig Newitt | 2.35L | 7 | 59kg | $26 |
| 7 | 9 | STIPULATE (GB) | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | 2.65L | 10 | 59kg | $4 |
| 8 | 7 | STAR ROLLING | Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison | Stephen Baster | 3.05L | 4 | 59kg | $9.50 |
| 9 | 4 | THE OFFER (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | 3.15L | 8 | 59kg | $13 |
| 10 | 8 | THOUGHT WORTHY (USA) | Robert Hickmott | Chad Schofield | 9.15L | 9 | 59kg | $81 |
