Opera Singer took the step up to 1 1/4 miles in the Nassau Stakes (G1) in stride and, in a truly deep Prix Vermeille (G1) Sept. 15 at Longchamp, the 3-year-old daughter of Justify now bids to secure her passage to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) in three weeks time.
She faces by far the stiffest test of her career, with a raft of fellow talented 3-year-olds who dominated the finish of the Prix de Diane (G1) and some top-notch older fillies and mares.
In a race which has shared its favors equally between the classic generation and the older brigade, Bluestocking brings a level of form that would surely be good enough to win this race in most years.
“Gate 9 will suit Bluestocking well and we’re looking forward to the race. She goes there in excellent shape,” said trainer Ralph Beckett.
Emily Upjohn comes off a third in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1), and co-trainer Thady Gosden, said the 5-year-old Sea The Stars mare came out of that run in good order.
“She was giving plenty of weight to younger fillies,” Gosden said. “She has plenty of experience of traveling and has traveled over well. It’s very competitive as you would expect for a fillies’ Arc trial, but we expect the track and trip to play to her strengths.”
Among the other 3-year-olds, Tony Piccone has the job of conserving the gas on Diane winner Sparkling Plenty , who finished off in the Nassau like a filly who might enjoy further but is by no means certain to stay the Prix Vermeille’s 1 1/2 miles, whether on pedigree or her way of going through a race.
Safer bets on the stamina front are Survie and Aventure , and victory for either would in no way count as a surprise.
“On paper we are the fifth best in the race, although everyone is quite close on the figures,” said Survie’s trainer Nicolas Clement. “There’s the chance to take a bit of revenge on Sparkling Plenty, while it is always interesting to see how the generations measure up.
“Opera Singer beat a filly of mine in the Marcel Boussac last year. It’s a high-quality field, but the filly is in very good form having done a very encouraging piece of work last time. I hope there’s a good even pace on.”
