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Another Notable Speech? Godolphin's Opera Ballo 20-1 for 2,000 Guineas after explosive debut win in Kempton maiden

Opera Ballo: a possible 2,000 Guineas contender?
Opera Ballo: a possible 2,000 Guineas contender?Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Fireworks were let off at Kempton on Wednesday evening when Opera Ballo made an explosive debut under Billy Loughnane for Charlie Appleby.

The Godolphin colt was sent off the 4-9 favourite for his debut and delivered in sparkling style, hitting the front two furlongs from home and sprinting eight and a half lengths clear of fellow newcomer Gennadius.

There was a unique bit of symmetry to the result as last year the second division of the mile maiden was won by Appleby's subsequent 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner Notable Speech. The trainer has now won the last six runnings of the event. 

Opera Ballo's impressive debut understandably caught the attention of bookmakers, who reacted by introducing him to the Guineas market at 20-1, and his rider believes more experience could see him put on an even better display.



Video courtesy of www.racingtv.com


"He's a beautiful horse," Loughnane told Racing TV. "Just watching him going around the paddock was nice and he really impressed me with the way he went about his business. He was very professional. He jumped with the blind, but he got away lovely and I managed to find a nice slot.

"He was still actually quite green, he overraced a little bit, and he'll probably be better with a little bit of cover going forward, but from the gate it was all about getting him out and into a rhythm. When I asked him to stretch at the two pole, he lengthened away quite quickly and gave me a nice feel. 

"I think another run with experience would definitely benefit him, especially if the option was there to get a mile on some turf. I think it would help getting him to switch off early – we've seen his finishing kick – and it could enhance that."

Notable Speech has impressed in three starts at Kempton
Notable Speech: began his career at KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Purchased for €600,000 as a yearling, Opera Ballo is from an interesting Godolphin family being by the four-time Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath and out of Dubai Opera, whose two runners so far have now both won. 

While Notable Speech went on to win multiple Group 1s last season after winning the race, other previous scorers for Appleby include the Group 3 winner Highland Avenue and Measured Time, the Group 1 winner who unforunately sustained a fatal injury in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan on Friday.


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