Australia: Zaaki looks for repeat in Underwood Stakes

Zaaki finished in front of I’m Thunderstruck in two of Australia’s leading races in March and April, but there was not much between them in early betting for the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Saturday evening across American time zones.

Zaaki, who won the 2021 Underwood, was 8-5 as of Friday, while I’m Thunderstruck was 2-1 in a strong field of six.

Both won important stakes earlier this month. Zaaki, trained by Annabel Neasham, won his first start since late May in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes at seven furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Sept. 3, leading throughout.

A week later, I’m Thunderstruck won the Grade 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at a mile at Flemington Racecourse by a head over Alligator Blood, who is part of the Underwood field. I’m Thunderstruck is trained by the partnership of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Earlier this year, Zaaki and I’m Thunderstruck were first and second in the $3.69 million All-Star Mile at Flemington in March, and second and sixth in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Randwick in April.

In between those races, I’m Thunderstruck was second to Mr Brightside in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap at a mile at Randwick, which drew a field of 20. Mr Brightside has not lost since, winning two Group 2 races at seven furlongs and a mile since mid-August.

Mr Brightside was the 9-2 third choice in early betting for the Underwood.

Aside from his race record, Zaaki will be favored in the $652,400 Underwood on the basis of his record of four wins in five starts at 1 1/8 miles. Jamie Kah, who was aboard for the win in the All-Star Mile, regains the mount from James McDonald, who is not riding Sunday.

This is a new distance for I’m Thunderstruck, who has never won beyond a mile. The Queen Elizabeth Stakes was his only start beyond a mile.

The Underwood is part of a nine-race program at Sandown that begins at 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.