Opera Hits The High Notes on Meydan's Festive Friday

Opera Hits The High Notes on Meydan’s Festive Friday

Opera Ballo has been an exciting horse throughout his short career. He landed win number five and a first Group success when beating stablemate and four-time G1 winner Nations Pride in the G2 Al Rashidiya [sponsored by Emaar] – an early prep for the G1 Dubai Turf.

Jockey William Buick sat confidently in third in the 1800metre turf contest and asked for an effort just before the 200metre marker, when the response was immediate. Opera Ballo (pictured) quickened clear and crossed the line three lengths ahead of Nations Pride.

“His biggest challenge is himself,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “William had to get him behind a horse and try and get him to settle.”

“He was entitled to come forward for that [in fitness]. The most logical place to go now is the Group 1 Jebel Hatta [23 January] and then we’ll see if he’s a World Cup night horse.”

Buick, winning this race for the third time in a row and fifth overall, added: “the race just set up well for him and he had cover, which was crucial stepping up in trip.

“We came here wanting to learn something and to teach Opera Ballo something and I think we did that. We always thought he was a horse worthy of going to the top level and tonight he showed he is on the way there.”

Heart Of Honor Stakes World Cup Claims

The Listed Entisar Stakes [sponsored by Emaar] is often an early pointer towards the Dubai World Cup and it could have been so again, with last year’s fourth Walk Of Stars taking his place in the line-up.

He and Tadhg O’Shea set steady fractions up front which may not have suited closer Heart Of Honor, but he got the job done, despite being pushed along by jockey Saffie Osborne for much of the race. Turning in, the three-year-old made relentless headway and mowed down Walk Of Stars and runner-up Artorius with something in hand – by a length and a half and two lengths.

“I thought I was going to finish last down the back straight,” said Osborne, who rides the horse for her trainer father Jamie. “As soon as I started asking him questions around the bend I realised how lazy he’d been down the back.

“Today he showed what a quality horse he is, which I didn’t really know before as he doesn’t give you much of a feel when you’re pushing him along. He was relentless.

“I think when he’s a little bit more mature and a little bit more streetwise, we could have a seriously exciting horse on our hands.”

“Never in doubt was it?!” quipped Osborne Snr, who trains Heart Of Honor for Jim and Claire Bryce. “Today he showed how brave he is, how much he wants it and how much he stays. The dream is still alive!”

That dream is now likely to take them to the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge, on Fashion Friday, 23 January.

Imperial Emperor Rules Again

The evening’s official feature was the AED1million G2 Al Maktoum Mile [sponsored by Emaar] in which Imperial Emperor led home a one-two-three for trainer Bhupat Seemar.

The Deva Racing-owned gelding made it to the Dubai World Cup last season, finishing down the field, but is back to his best on this evidence. Ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, the five-year-old was in a handy position throughout the race and found plenty inside the final 200metres to beat stablemates Commissioner King and Mendelssohn Bay.

“He’s a class horse – he’s won a Group 2 very impressively and was a second in a Group 1,” said Seemar, who ran eight in the race. “I’m glad we came back to a mile as I don’t think we’ve tightened all the bolts yet and he’ll come on for that.”

On the gelding’s future he added: “he’s just as good at a mile and a quarter [2000metres] so we’ll speak with the owners and come up with a plan.”

O’Shea added: “He’s a stronger horse this season and it’s great to see these older horses retaining their enthusiasm, which he has. I think we should go two turns [2000metres] and work back from the big one [Dubai World Cup].”

Buick Takes Turf Four-Timer

Mysterious Night loves a jaunt around Meydan and Appleby’s gelding registered his third course success in the Listed Business Bay Challenge [sponsored by Emaar].

Ridden by Buick, the five-year-old overcame a 287-day absence and a battle with the race-fit Khanjar in the 1400metre turf contest, prevailing by a neck.

“Will [Buick] had a great position round there and his [Mysterious Night’s] homework had been good,” said Appleby. “I was pretty confident he was fit coming into this evening. We’ll see what Will has to say and decide whether we stick at this trip or step up for the Zabeel Mile.”

Buick doubled up an hour later when Cover Up successfully defended his title in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash [sponsored by Emaar] over 1000metres on turf.

It might have been nervous watching for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford as he had to wait for a run but was explosive once the gap arrived, sprinting clear and easily holding off the closing Rabaah by two lengths.

“He won the race last year but made hard work of it.” said Buick. “This year he was very comfortable, travelled sweetly and from halfway he had things under control.

“I think this could set him up for a really nice campaign out here.”

Buick made it four wins on the night when By The Book strolled away with the Dubai Racing Club Classic, over 2400metres on turf.

Making just his fourth start, the son of Frankel was far too good for his rivals, beating Asgard’s Captain by four and a half lengths.

“We’ve always liked the horse and thought that this style of racing and track could suit him,” said winning trainer Appleby after his own treble. “We’ll see how far he can progress throughout the winter.”

New Star Among Arabian Ranks

Muraad is a newcomer to UAE racing but the French G1 winner made light of his new surroundings and dirt debut when adding to his CV in the opening G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 for Purebred Arabians.

Ridden by Silvestre de Sousa for trainer Majed Al Jahouri, he was keen in the early stages but had enough left to see of the persistent Mubeed, defending champion, by a neck.

Salem bin Ghadayah’s Labwah only managed fourth on debut behind Yuno but turned that form around with an emphatic win in the Shahama Stakes [sponsored by Emaar] for two-year-old fillies on dirt.

The daughter of Charlatan led throughout under Bernardo Pinheiro and found more in the straight, charging home by a quarter of a length from Star Mirage.

“The team expected a lot from her,” said Pinheiro. “She’s a very quiet filly in the yard; she does everything right. We had a good draw, she jumped well and I managed to take a breather on the turn and look after her.”

Jebel Ali Stables trainer Michael Costa emulated Seemar by saddling a one-two-three in the last. Raajehh, under Andrew Slattery, did his best work late to deny the filly Mouhjah in the Emaar Stride Conditions race, for two-year-olds over 1200metres.

“They’re all nice horses and they’ll all go onto better things,” said Costa. “Raajehh is a horse we’ve got a lot of time for and we’ve had a Guineas sort of campaign in mind for him. We’ll see how he pulls up as to whether he goes to the Guineas prep or straight to the [G3 UAE 2000] Guineas.”

The Dubai Racing Carnival is back in action on Friday, 2 January when the Group 2 Zabeel Mile and Group 3 Dubawi Stakes take centre stage.