3 minute read

Godolphin’s Opera Ballo repaired some of his dented reputation with a comfortable success in the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown on Thursday evening.

Unraced as a juvenile, Charlie Appleby's colt had impressed in his first two racecourse starts – recording eight-and-a-half and four length victories at Kempton Park on the all-weather. With 2024 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech recording equally impressive wins on the all-weather before Newmarket glory, expectations were high for the son of Ghaiyyath.

A 7/2 shot for the Group 3 Craven Stakes, run over the same course and distance as the 2000 Guineas, the colt pulled hard and ultimately disappointed, fading to finish sixth of nine. With the hood applied for the first time, Opera Ballo was a 5/4 favourite to regain the winning thread under William Buick and he duly obliged.

Strong in the early stages again, the colt was positioned wide in the early stages before switching right to pursue the leaders with five furlongs to run. He began to make eye catching progress at the two furlong marker, hitting the front with a furlong to run before comfortably holding off the challenge of Bay City Roller by two-and-a-half lengths. The lightly raced Jackknife finished quickly to secure third on his second career start.

Assistant trainer Alex Merriam said: "The first-time hood has worked and William said once he got cover he settled much better than at Newmarket the last day, albeit he was still a bit keen early doors.

"He got the job done and he is very much a work in progress. He's had the hood on at home and it's definitely helped – you would be a brave man to take that off now.

"I'm not quite sure what Charlie has planned. He is in the St James's Palace, but he is a work in progress and we'll see. He will appreciate a bit of juice in the ground, I think, but we'll see how he comes out of this and let Charlie come up with a plan."