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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Opera hits high note in Group 3

Sat 26th Aug 2023, 17:06

Opera Singer and Seamie Heffernan go clearOpera Singer and Seamie Heffernan go clear
© Photo Healy Racing

Opera Singer powered clear in the closing stages to run out an impressive winner of the Newtownanner Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

Seamie Heffernan tracked the front-running Vive Veuve on his mount before letting her take a narrow lead passing the three pole in the mile contest.

The even-money favourite was asked to stretch clear under two furlong from home and soon asserted, galloping on strongly in the closing stages to post a six-and-a-half length winning margin.

Stablemate Brilliant kept on to take the runner-up spot without ever looking a danger.

“She's a lovely filly and she's had a few lovely runs,” said Aidan O'Brien of the winner.

“She had a lovely run the first day and then the second day she ran a stormer as well. Ryan thought he was going to beat the winner the last day, the line just came a little bit soon but she's come forward lovely.

“These Justifys improve, the minute they go up in distance they take off.”

When asked if the Fillies Mile could be a target he added:- “I'd say she's that kind of filly, straightforward and goes forward.”

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.