How Monday's action could impact the betting for the Derby and the Oaks

The 2021 Flat season is well under way and it's full steam ahead to the Epsom Classics in June – the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks.

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Classic Clues, our new series running every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of Sunday's action and how it's impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note today.

Racing round-up: Newmarket on Sunday

The talking horse of the weekend Santa Barbara did not quite live up to her lofty reputation when finishing fourth to stablemate Mother Earth in Sunday's 1,000 Guineas but that will not be the last we see of the Aidan O'Brien-trained fillies in Classics this season.

The winner is poised to tackle the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, where she will look to give the master of Ballydoyle a tenth win in the race. Santa Barbara is to head to the Cazoo Oaks next and there was enough promise from only her second run to maintain her place at the head of the betting.

Mother Earth (in front): could be heading for the Irish 1,000 Guineas nextCredit: Edward Whitaker

Saffron Beach finished well to take second in the 1,000 Guineas and could be another heading to the Oaks, while Fev Rover is likely to stay at the mile distance, with entries in the Irish equivalent and Coronation Stakes looking likely targets.

The Betfair Pretty Polly Stakes was won by subsequent Oaks heroines Taghrooda and Talent but Sunday's winner Mystery Angel is not even entered for the Epsom Classic. Promising runner-up Sea Karats is, however, but her price drifted slightly following the defeat.

Market movers: Cazoo Oaks

Santa Barbara 4-1 (from 3), Betfair
Mother Earth 10-1 (from 50), Paddy Power
Saffron Beach 14-1 (from 33), bet365
Sea Karats 25-1 (from 16), William Hill

What they said

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Mother Earth and Santa Barbara
I think Mother Earth will stick to a mile and we’ll step Santa Barbara up in trip – the latter was always going to go to the Oaks next time and this filly was always going to go to the Irish Guineas next. That was the plan.

William Haggas, trainer of Sea Karats
I like her a lot but she was not wise enough today. The winner has bags of experience and she got the run of the race. We'll see what we do now going forward. She definitely wants further and she will be going over a mile and a half next time.

Today's action: all eyes on the Curragh

Queen's Speech is around a 20-1 chance for the Cazoo Oaks and the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly has her second start in a highly competitive Group 3 over seven furlongs at the Curragh today.

She will have to be pretty smart to defeat last season's top-level winner Champers Elysees in the Coolmore Stud Circus Maximus Irish EBF Athasi Stakes (3.10) but she is a well-entered type, who could also be aimed at the Irish 1,000 Guineas if a mile is more to her liking.

Dick McCormick Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes runner (4.20) Ace Aussie has a Derby entry and takes on Irish 2,000 Guineas hopes Federal, Magnanimous, Horoscope, Merchants Quay and Notre Belle Bete.

If you want more on the 2021 Flat season:

Mother of God! Frankie Dettori lands 1,000 Guineas on O'Brien's Mother Earth

Adam Kirby 'gutted' but proud of 1,000 Guineas second Saffron Beach (Members' Club)

Age no barrier as Poetic Flare gives Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning Classic joy

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