No Bow Echo, but the presence of the two colts who chased him home in the Sussex Stakes (G1) means we have a fascinating Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) Sept. 6 at ParisLongchamp Racecourse. It's Coolmore versus Godolphin again. It's Gstaad versus Opera Ballo.
Had there been no Bow Echo, Gstaad would be unbeaten this season with four group 1s to his name, but he has only the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1). He couldn't get by his rival in the English equivalent or the St. James's Palace Stakes (G1) and the Sussex.
There is no Bow Echo this time, though, so there can be no excuses, and Aidan O'Brien reports Gstaad to be raring to go following his near-miss at Goodwood Racecourse with the injury that kept him out of the Prix Jacques Le Marois (G1) fully cleared up.
O'Brien said: "Gstaad is very good. He got a deep cut in the Sussex and had to go on stronger antibiotics than usual to clear it up. That kept him out of the race at Deauville, but it's cleared up well and he's back doing everything right.
"We have had this race in mind since Goodwood and everything has gone well in the lead-up."
Gstaad has a remarkable CV. Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner has never finished out of the first two in 10 starts.
O'Brien has two Moulin victories. Rock of Gibraltar won it under Mick Kinane during his sensational season in 2002, while Circus Maximus also did the business for the Ballydoyle team in 2019, which was Ryan Moore's sole win in this group 1.
Opera Ballo Ready to Perform
There was 1 3/4 lengths between Gstaad and Opera Ballo at the line in the Sussex, but the Godolphin colt was keen at Goodwood and also had to give his younger Coolmore rival 8 pounds.
This time he gives away 6 pounds and Charlie Appleby believes he is ready to produce a big performance.
The 4-year-old has just one group 1 success on his CV, the Jebel Hatta (G1T) at Meydan Racecourse in January, but he does have an RPR of 126 for beating Field of Gold in the Sandown Mile Stakes (G2) in April at Sandown Park.
Appleby said of Opera Ballo: "He heads to France in great order. He is better off at the weights with Gstaad compared to the Sussex Stakes, and this could potentially be another tactical race. He is right up with the best and we're hopeful he can be very competitive again."
Appleby has never won the Moulin, but in Opera Ballo he has a colt capable of breaking his duck.
