Opera Ballo to call the tune

With just over 10 weeks to the Dubai World Cup, today’s cracking nine-race card at Meydan should provide some clues for UAE’s showpiece fixture in late March.

- Ed Marnane

FORM. Opera Ballo is in outstanding form and is the runner to beat in the Grade 1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan today. Picture: Racing TV

(Racing TV)

Exciting Opera Ballo, trained by Charlie Appleby, can advertise his claims in the $5m (R16m) Dubai Turf by winning the Jebel Hatta, Race 7, one of three Group 1 races on the card.

Owned and bred by Godolphin, he created a big impression on his local debut last month, winning the Al Rashidiya Stakes, Group 2, on his first appearance in 84 days.

By Ghaiyyath, he travelled powerfully before readily accelerating clear of stable companions Nations Pride and First Conquest, taking his record to five wins in just seven appearances since making his racecourse debut 12 months ago.

Opera Ballo, the mount of William Buick, has nothing to fear from reopposing veteran Nations Pride, a multiple winner at the highest level. Opera Ballo can justify short odds and give Godolphin a record 10th and Buick a fifth Jebel Hatta.

Champion trainer Bhupat Seemar is enjoying a terrific campaign, especially at Meydan and he holds a strong hand in the Al Maktoum Challenge (Group 1), the dirt showpiece and a key local prep for the Dubai World Cup.

He is responsible for six of the nine runners and last year’s winner, Walk Of Stars, the mount of Tadhg O’Shea, holds sound claims of giving Zabeel Stables back-to-back wins in the Group 1 event.