Opera Ballo back on the right track in Heron Stakes
Opera Ballo resumed winning ways in the Star Sports Heron Stakes at Sandown.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Ghaiyyath colt was keen for William Buick on the outside of runners through the early stages of the one-mile Listed affair, before his rider managed to slot in behind horses.
Pellitory swept right into contention after leader Matauri Bay gave way, but 5-4 favourite Opera Ballo – who won his first two career starts in the manner of a potentially top-class performer before coming unstuck in the Craven, when he did not help his chance with his headstrong tendencies – found another gear and was well on top at the line.
He holds an entry for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot but connections were keen to stress the exciting three-year-old remains a 'work in progress'.
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.'
It was George Scott's Champagne Stakes scorer Bay City Roller who ran on for second on his belated reappearance, two and a half lengths in arrears.
Having elected against a tilt at the French Derby to head to this race, the colt's handler is now excited to step up in trip at the next available opportunity.
Scott said: 'I'm delighted and the winner has had three runs this year and has a lot of quality.
'We were unsure where to go and we thought he was ready to step up to 10 furlongs but we just couldn't find the right race.
'Callum (Shepherd, jockey) said he hit the line great and he's ready to step up. His pedigree is all about 10 furlongs and a mile and a half and I'm really pleased with him.
'It looked so dry in France and going for a Classic off a long lay-off felt ambitious. He's very much a horse for the future and he has a lot of quality and we're really happy with that as a starting point.
'I will have to look at the programme book as he has a Group Two penalty which makes life difficult and I don't want to go into a Group One really. It may be somewhere in France with him or we might have to just sit on our hands for a bit.
'I really want to go 10 furlongs on a flat track and I wouldn't be surprised if he got a mile and a half one day, but I'm really pleased with this horse and that was great after so long off the track – I just want him to be sound in the morning!'
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