Oaks Horse Race Betting

Oaks betting is usually lively on day one at Epsom’s Derby meeting as the best middle distance three-year-old fillies prepare to put their reputations on the line.

However long before the day of the race, the ante-post Oaks odds markets have been reflecting racecourse form and gallop reports from the leading contenders but surprises do happen.

In 2008 Ralph Beckett’s unconsidered Look Here turned the Oaks betting market upside down when triumphing at the rewarding Oaks odds of 33/1!

There have been other shocks over the years, such as Jet Ski Lady (1991) at Oaks odds of 50/1 delighting those few punters who had the confidence to place their Oaks bets on Jim Bolger’s talented filly.

Cecil’s record stands out for public Oaks bets

Legendary trainer Henry Cecil has been on target eight times in the Oaks betting since 1985 when Triple Crown winner Oh So Sharp provided him with his first Oaks success. Sheikh Mohammed’s filly landed a mass of bets for the Oaks betting public who supported his filly at short Oaks odds.

Cecil hit the target most recently with Light Shift (2007), the subject of a number of large Oaks bets and a sentimental choice by many in the Oaks betting market that day. In-between times, Cecil dominated the Oaks betting with household names such as Diminuendo, Snow Bride and Reams Of Verse at a variety of Oaks odds.

Dettori’s Oaks odds worth a look

A three-time winner of the race since 1994, the Oaks betting is sure to reflect the popularity of jockey Frankie Dettori. The ever popular Italian has landed the public’s Oaks bets at a variety of Oaks odds in the past, with Balanchine (’94), Moonshell (’95) and Kazzia (2002), all for the Dubai-based Godolphin team.

Any filly representing the combination again in the 2009 Oaks betting will doubtless command serious Oaks bets regardless of the Oaks odds on offer.