Opera Ballo & Nations Pride clash again in G1 Jebel Hatta

Hugely talented colt Opera Ballo looks to secure a breakthrough G1 success in the Jebel Hatta, with decorated veteran Nations Pride also chasing more top-level glory in the highlight of Fashion Friday at Meydan, UAE, on Friday, 23 January.

The Charlie Appleby-trained duo meet for a second time this season on Meydan’s nine-furlong turf course, with Opera Ballo having scored by an easy three lengths over his stablemate in the G2 Al Rashidiya in December.

Ghaiyyath homebred Opera Ballo won four of his six starts in the UK last season, including Listed victories at Sandown Park and Newmarket, in addition to finishing second in the G2 Joel Stakes.

Nations Pride boasts an extensive CV over the past five seasons that includes G1 wins in the Saratoga Derby, Grosser Dallmayr-Preis, Canadian International and Arlington Million.

Now seven, the Teofilo entire has performed well at Meydan, winning the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes and G2 Singspiel Stakes, as well as coming home a close third in the G1 Dubai Turf.

Charlie Appleby said: “Opera Ballo put up a good performance in the Al Rashidiya, when he picked up some valuable experience of racing at Meydan. He goes into the race in great order and this is the logical next test for him. It is a small field, but everyone in there deserves respect.

“I feel that Nations Pride has come forward for his last run as his work since has been a bit sharper. He has plenty of experience under his belt and conditions are there to suit. He is a rock-solid horse and I’m sure he will put up another strong effort.”

Mysterious Night makes a third consecutive appearance in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort on the same card after readily winning the seven-furlong contest in 2024 and finishing a length second 12 months ago.

The six-year-old was victorious over the same course and distance on his return to action in December as he swooped late to deny Khanjar in the Listed Business Bay Challenge.

Charlie Appleby said: “Mysterious Night came out of the Business Bay Challenge in good order and has plenty of experience over this course and trip. It is a big field, but I am not too concerned with being drawn out in stall 10. He is entitled to come on for his first run of the season, which should hopefully put him bang there at the finish.”

Improving three-year-old Devon Island chases a third straight victory at Meydan when he steps up to G3 level for the UAE 2,000 Guineas.

Runner-up on his debut on the all-weather in the UK, the Practical Joke colt has impressed on both his dirt starts, decisively beating subsequent winner Brotherly Love on both occasions.

Charlie Appleby said: “Devon Island is unbeaten since switching to dirt, although this is a step up in class against several horses with a similar profile to him. He has improved mentally as much as physically with each run, and we will be slightly wiser regarding what the future holds after this.”