The Latest for Epsom
June 3rd, 2021 | Marten's Current Racing Diary
Hi there!
The big day is almost upon us, with less than 48 hours before the running of the 2021 Cazoo Derby.
The latest news from clerk of the course Andrew Cooper is that the ground is likely to be good, with good to firm patches.
There are showers expected from France overnight but the feeling is they will miss the track, and Cooper says that the worst-case scenario is for up to 5mm of rain.
In order to maintain the current going description he applied 2mm of watering to selected parts of the track earlier today.
There is a degree of uncertainty as to what will happen, but it seems highly unlikely that the word ‘soft’ will appear in the going description.
Twelve horses were declared for the race and, as anticipated, Aidan O’Brien is being represented by just Bolshoi Ballet.
The colt’s supporters will be encouraged by his draw in stall 9, while John Leeper is also handily placed in stall 12.
Popular outsider Third Realm has to defy the bogey berth in stall 2, which has never produced a winner since stalls were introduced. The same comment applies to stall 11, which could be a problem for One Ruler.
In recent years the most successful has been stall 10, which is occupied by the 150/1 outsider Mojo Star.
Of the others Hurricane Lane is in stall 5, Mac Swiney is in stall 8, Youth Spirit is in 7 and Mohaafeth is in number 4.
The draw has had an influence on the markets, with Bolshoi Ballet now a top price of 5/4. There is a chance that he may start a shade of odds-on by the fall of the flag on Saturday afternoon.
Next best in the betting are Mohaafeth, John Leeper and Mac Swiney, who are all around 7/1. Hurricane Lane is being nibbled at around 9/1 but Third Realm is inevitably weak given his berth in stall 2.
With Frankie Dettori now engaged to ride John Leeper I expect his public following to see a reduction in his price. Hurricane Lane will be popular at 9/1 and Mojo Star, a twice-raced maiden, could outrun his massive odds.
Things kick off on Friday with the Oaks, for which Santa Barbara is a weak 11/4 favourite.
The money today was for Dubai Fountain, now a top price of 12/1, and Willow, who was proving popular at 33/1.
Teona, who should run well, is a top price of 15/2. She is nicely placed in stall 8.
Bye for now,
Marten.
