Homesman Enters NZB Caulfield WFA Contention With Thrilling Underwood Win

In his first start in the New Zealand Bloodstock Caulfield WFA Championship, Homesman (War Front) moved into title contention with a thrilling victory in Sunday’s A$750,000 Group 1 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m).

Previously a Group 3 winner in Ireland and placed at Grade 1 level in the United States, Homesman beat the Japanese import Tosen Basil (Harbinger) by a head in an international finish. Quality New Zealand-bred Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo) ran on strongly for third, half a length behind the first two.

“He’s a beautiful horse,” winning rider Ben Melham said. “I thought he ran really well last start at Moonee Valley (second in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes). He went up to a more suitable trip today and toughed it out well.

“He’s in great order. The stable’s got him going fantastically and he’s in for a great preparation.”

Trained by Liam Howley for an ownership group headed by Nick and Lloyd Williams, Homesman has now had a total of 11 starts for four wins, four placings and A$851,639 in prize-money.

His four Australian starts have produced a win in the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m), a sixth in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), a second in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) and Sunday’s Underwood Stakes win.

“He’s very genuine, very honest and he hasn’t put a foot wrong since we’ve had him,” Nick Williams said. “War Front is a super sire in America, mainly of juveniles and shorter-course performers, but this horse is defying that trend and training on as an older horse.”

Humidor now has a clear overall lead in the NZB Caulfield WFA Championship with 17 points. Homesman has moved up to equal second with 10 alongside Showtime (Snitzel) and Kings Will Dream (Casamento).

But Homesman may shoot for the title in the final leg, the A$1 million Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 13.

“It’s great to get his Group 1 win, and it gives him ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup – all things being equal, that’s where we’ll head,” Williams said.

“He’ll probably need another run between now and then, either next weekend or in the Caulfield Stakes.”