The Epsom Derby is one of two major events on a huge weekend of international racing this week, with Aidan O’Brien’s sole starter in the race, Balshoi Ballet, the $2.15 favourite with TAB.
It is the first time since 2004 that eight-time winner O’Brien has had just one runner in the race and the colt, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, holds the majority of money, having opened at his current quote.
The William Haggas-trained Mohaafeth ($7.50) holds down the second line of betting ahead of Frankie Dettori’s mount John Leeper ($8), while ‘honorary Australian’ Tom Marquand is looking to go one better in this year’s edition and takes the ride on Youth Spirit ($34), after being runner-up in last year’s race aboard longshot Khlaifa Sat.
The Derby will be run at 1.30am AEST Sunday morning, just over seven hours before the third leg of the US Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, in which Essential Quality ($3.20) is seeking redemption following defeat in the controversial Kentucky Derby. Rombauer sits on the second line of betting at $3.70, with interest coming for third favourite Hot Rod Charlie ($5.50 into $5).
| Epsom Derby | |||||
| $2.15
$7.50 $8.00 $8.50 $9.00 $14 $23 $26 $34 $41
$101 |
Bolshoi Ballet
Mohaafeth John Leeper Mac Swiney Hurricane Lane Third Realm Southern Lights One Ruler Youth Spirit Adayar Gear Up Mojo Star |
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| Belmont Stakes | |||||
| $3.20
$3.70 $5.00 $6.00 $7.50 $21
$31 |
Essential Quality
Rombauer Hot Rod Charlie Rock Your World Known Agenda Bourbonic Overtook France Go De Ina |
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