Birdman added another major prize to his 2026 campaign on September 19, winning the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield for trainer Chris Waller.
The 1800 metre weight for age feature was one of the headline races on a major Caulfield program. Birdman entered the race second up after finishing sixth in the Memsie Stakes, a return that gave him a foundation for the longer distance. The move to 1800 metres was significant because he had already shown strong form over middle distances during the year.
Birdman adds another Group 1
The Underwood success gives Birdman another elite level victory after his Doomben Cup win earlier in 2026. That Brisbane result was also a milestone for Waller, who reached 200 Group 1 wins when Birdman defeated Pride Of Jenni.
Birdman had already shown an affinity for Caulfield before Saturday. He won the Peter Young Stakes over the same 1800 metre distance in March and entered the Underwood with a profile that suggested the step up from the Memsie Stakes would suit him.
Spring implications
The Underwood Stakes is an important form reference for the major Melbourne spring races. Its position on the calendar gives established weight for age horses a chance to build toward longer assignments, including the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup program.
Birdman now has a significant spring result on his record and his performance strengthens the case that he belongs among the leading middle distance horses in Australia this season. Future plans will depend on his recovery and the decisions of his connections, so OTB Bet will wait for a confirmed target before treating any particular race as his next start.
For broader context on the race, visit the OTB Bet Underwood Stakes guide. The 2026 Underwood Stakes preview also provides the field and pre race form picture.
Sources: Racing.com race and form coverage, Melbourne Racing Club race information, and published Australian racing reports. Result information was checked on September 19, 2026.
