The spring racing carnival is heating up, with some of the best horses in the country primed for a breakout October and November period across both NSW and Victoria.
The running of the $750,000 Group 1 Underwood Stakes will see some of the country's best middle-distance runners take to Caulfield Racecourse in a high-profile 1800m weight-for-age event on September 23rd.
Alligator Blood took out last year's race and will be back for another tilt, while other past winners include Zaaki, Black Heart Bart, Northerly and the iconic Phar Lap.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.
What is the Underwood Stakes?
As one of the longest-standing races in the spring carnival, the Underwood Stakes earned Group 1 status in 1979 and is contested over 1800m under weight-for-age conditions.
When is the 2023 Underwood Stakes?
This year's Underwood Stakes raceday will take place on Saturday, 23rd September.
The race will be the ninth on a 10-race card at Caulfield and is scheduled to jump at 4.55pm AEST.
How to watch the 2023 Underwood Stakes
This year's Underwood Stakes will be broadcast live on Sky Racing.
Underwood Stakes 2023 tickets
To purchase tickets for this year's Underwood Stakes raceday, click here.
Underwood Stakes 2023 prize money
The prize money for the Group 1 Underwood Stakes sits at $750,000.
Connections of the winning horse will take home $450,000.
Underwood Stakes 2023 final field, barriers and betting odds
The final field for this year's Group 1 Underwood Stakes has been confirmed, with the likes of defending champion Alligator Blood at the top of the betting market.
Odds courtesy of Dabble, correct as of 9:00 am AEST, September 23rd. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU?
| Runner (Barrier) | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1. Vow And Declare (4) | Billy Egan | Danny O'Brien | $101 |
| 2. Alligator Blood (8) | Damien Oliver | G.Waterhouse/A.Bott | $3.40 |
| 3. Mo'unga (17) | Jamie Mott | Annabel Neasham | $41 |
| 4. Nonconformist (6) | Harry Coffey | Grahame Begg | $51 |
| 5. Tuvalu (13) | Jamie Kah | Lindsey Smith | $7.00 |
| 6. Smokin Romans (14) | John Allen | C.Maher/D.Eustace | $51 |
| 7. Alenquer (10) | Declan Bates | Michael Moroney | $91 |
| 8. Without A Fight (11) | Mark Zahra | A & S. Freedman | $5.00 |
| 9. Right You Are (2) | Ben Allen | C.Maher/D.Eustace | $18 |
| 10. Soulcombe (5) | Blake Shinn | Chris Waller | $8.50 |
| 12. Bank Maur (1) | Jye McNeill | Richard Laming | $41 |
| 13. Lindermann (3) | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller | $11 |
| 14. Attrition (15) | Ben Melham | Mitchell Freedman | $8.50 |
| 15. Duais (7) | Craig Williams | Edward Cummings | $23 |
| 16. Lunar Flare (12) | Michael Dee | Grahame Begg | $91 |
