3 minute read

Racing and Sports Preview the 2021 Oaks from Epsom Downs.

Derby weekend at Epsom kicks off with the Oaks on Friday and 14 fillies are listed to go to post in a deep and competitive edition. 

Betting is headed up by Santa Barbara  who is currently a 5/2 chance, the same price she was sent out in the 1000 Guineas at just her second start. 

Such was the hype, a fourth placed effort there was considered a disappointment by many but to have achieved that much at just start number two must be considered a positive and she promises to relish a longer trip.  

As long as the Oaks at Epsom? At just her third start? There are queries but for this she looks better equipped than she did for the Guineas and prices, in the eyes of the Racing and Sports Pricing Model, are not unfair. 

Her stablemate Snowfall won the Musidora but she was gifted things from the front and single figure prices seem to overplay what she achieved there and so the same can be said for Teona who ran well and will improve but a leap forward seems to have been factored in with interest in early betting. 

The Cheshire Oaks rated the stronger trial and the it is the runner up who the market fancies most this time. That is Zeyaadah who closed strongly at Chester and does look a strong type for this test. 

The knock is that she draws barrier one which has generally been a disadvantage over this course, particularly in big Classic fields. She also started 5/1 v Dubai Fountain 13/8 at Chester and, for all that things did play out well for Dubai Fountain, she was beaten there and now turns around at a much shorter quote. Turning the tables from Chester looks a good possibility but again this seems like something that has been factored in with interest and the Racing and Sports Model sees good value in backing her to follow up her Chester Oaks with success at Epsom. 

Recommended Bets: Back Santa Barbara in the Oaks. Back Dubai Fountain in the Oaks.