Opera hits high note in Group 3 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.”
