OPERA FOLLOWS NOTABLE ROUTE

lan Heitman reports with news and views from the All Weather events

- lan Heitman

The 2024 2,000 Guineas winner, Notable Speech, was the only horse this century to win the race having started out on the all-weather, at Kempton on January 27.

The winner of the corresponding AW race this year, Opera Ballo, like Notable Speech owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby, arguably put up a more impressive debut performance than his classic-winning stablemate and was introduced in the 2,000 Guineas betting as a 20/1 chance following his eight-and-ahalf length win. Racing close to the steady pace set by the runner-up Gennadius, Opera Ballo made progress to lead with two furlongs to go and quickly drew clear to win very easily.

Godolphin's retained jockey William Buick, who rode Notable Speech in every race last year, missed the ride having had a busy few days prior to Opera Ballo's debut, going from Dubai to Miami to ride in Group 1 races. Billy Loughnane was a more than capable replacement on just his tenth ride for Charlie Appleby, fort his fifth and easiest winner for the yard.

The bookmakers have certainly taken no chances with the 20/1 for the Guineas, the same price as one of his stablemates Ancient Truth who finished third to Guineas second favourite Shadow Of Light, also trained by Appleby, in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes. With Ruling Court, off since finishing third to the 2,000 Guineas favourite The Lion In Winter in the Acomb Stakes in August, a 16/1 chance. The fact that Opera Ballo is as short as 20/1 suggests he is quite high up in the Appleby pecking order. If he follows the route Notable Speech took last year, a conditions race back at Kempton on February 26 will be Opera Ballo's next race.