Opera Ballo finally matched reputation with résumé at Meydan, delivering a polished performance to claim his first Group success in the G2 Al Rashidiya, an early-season stepping stone toward the Dubai Turf. Still lightly raced, the Godolphin colt made it five wins from a short but intriguing career by lowering the colors of his own stablemate, four-time Group 1 hero Nations Pride.

William Buick rode with patience in the 1800m turf contest, settling Opera Ballo into a rhythm before asking him to lengthen just inside the final 200 meters. The response was instant. Opera Ballo quickened decisively and powered clear to score by three lengths, stamping himself as a genuine top-level prospect.

Trainer Charlie Appleby was quick to underline the colt’s raw ability—and his quirks. “His biggest challenge is himself,” he said, explaining that getting Opera Ballo to settle remains the key. Fitness-wise, the run ticked every box, and the path ahead is already taking shape, with the Group 1 Jebel Hatta on January 23 penciled in before a decision on a Dubai World Cup night appearance.

Buick, now a five-time winner of the Al Rashidiya, said the race unfolded perfectly. The step up in trip, combined with cover, allowed Opera Ballo to relax and show his true acceleration. “We wanted to learn something about him tonight,” Buick said. “He showed he’s moving in the right direction toward the top level.”

Heart of Honor Keeps the Dream Alive

The Listed Entisar Stakes once again hinted at World Cup implications, and this year it was Heart Of Honor who emerged with his credentials enhanced. Walk Of Stars, fourth in last season’s Dubai World Cup, dictated matters up front under Tadhg O’Shea, setting fractions that didn’t obviously suit a closer.

It mattered little in the end. Despite jockey Saffie Osborne having to push along for much of the race, Heart Of Honor found a relentless stride turning for home. The three-year-old reeled in Walk Of Stars and Artorius, asserting late to win by a length and a half and two lengths respectively.

Osborne admitted she feared the worst mid-race, only to discover just how much horse she had beneath her. Her father and trainer, Jamie Osborne, was equally upbeat, praising the colt’s courage and stamina. The likely next stop is the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge on January 23, keeping a World Cup dream firmly on track.

Imperial Emperor Leads a Stable Sweep

The night’s headline act, the AED1 million G2 Al Maktoum Mile, belonged to Imperial Emperor, who spearheaded a remarkable one-two-three for trainer Bhupat Seemar. A Dubai World Cup runner last season, the five-year-old showed he has returned in peak form.

Ridden prominently by Tadhg O’Shea, Imperial Emperor found plenty when asked, pulling clear inside the final furlong to defeat stablemates Commissioner King and Mendelssohn Bay. Seemar, who saddled eight runners in the race, felt the return to a mile was key and hinted that further improvement is still to come. Both trainer and jockey agreed that stretching back out to 2000 meters could be the logical route as plans are shaped around another World Cup bid.

Buick Dominates the Turf

William Buick capped a memorable evening with four turf victories, starting with Mysterious Night in the Listed Business Bay Challenge. Returning from a 287-day break, the Appleby-trained gelding showed his affinity for Meydan, edging out the race-fit Khanjar by a neck over 1400 meters.

Buick later partnered Cover Up to a smooth repeat victory in the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash. Forced to wait for daylight, the sprinter exploded once clear, settling the issue in a matter of strides and scoring by two lengths. The performance suggested an even stronger campaign lies ahead.

The quartet was completed when By The Book dominated the Dubai Racing Club Classic over 2400 meters. Making only his fourth career start, the Frankel colt was never threatened, strolling home by four and a half lengths. Appleby believes the Meydan style of racing suits the colt perfectly and is keen to see how far he can progress through the winter.