Genuine Operatics

Sunday’s G1 Prix de l’Opera Longines at Longchamp has a wide-open feel, with very little separating the highest and lowest-rated fillies and mares and seven top-level scorers in the line-up. Last year’s winner We Are (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) is back in a bid to salvage a dented reputation, having failed to fire on three starts so far in 2015 but Freddy Head believes he has George Strawbridge’s homebred back on song following her latest fourth behind Odeliz (Ire) (Falco) in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet over this trip at Deauville Aug. 23. “She’s very well after I had a little problem with her in the spring,” he commented. “She ran very well the other day and I think I have her back to the form she was in when she won this last year.”

Head also saddles the Wertheimers’ G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Queen’s Jewel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who followed that May 24 course-and-distance dismissal of Wekeela (Fr) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) with a disappointing 11th behind Star of Seville (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) in the G1 Prix de Diane over 10 1/2 furlongs at Chantilly June 14. Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager for the owners, said of her, “Queen’s Jewel had time off with a problem after the French Oaks, but Freddy says she is back to her best. She knows the track and knows the distance and is doing very well at home.” Forgoing a tilt at the St Leger last month, Hugo Palmer instead drops the July 18 G1 Irish Oaks heroine Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) back in trip after she finished second in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks last time Aug. 20. “She’s in exceptional order, she’s had a faultless preparation since York and I’m happy enough with the draw,” her conditioner said. “We’re hoping for another big run, she’s certainly going there well enough to do herself justice.”

Roisin Henry and Susan Magnier’s Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) looks to get back on track after two off-the-board efforts following her defeat of Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh June 28, while the Meon Valley homebred Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) is another with strong claims having won the G2 Prix de la Nonette over this distance last time Aug. 18. After her all-the-way win in the Jean Romanet, Odeliz warrants respect if those tactics are employed again and trainer Karl Burke is full of hope heading into this test. “She’s working well and is holding her coat well–she looks great,” he explained. “It’s a tough race, but she’s won her Group 1 and deserves to be there. I’m not sure if she’s been disregarded in the betting or not, but she shouldn’t be.”