Chinese White could head for Prix de l'Opera

DERMOT WELD could target Chinese White at the Group 1 Qatar Petroleum Prix de l'Opera on Arc day after she returned to winning form for the first time in more than a year at Gowran Park on Wednesday evening.

Returning to the scene of her Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes triumph in May last year, she travelled ominously throughout before Pat Smullen pressed the button on the well-backed 15-8 favourite to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriett Listed Stakes for owner-breeder Lady O'Reilly.

She headed long-time leader Roman Empress inside the final furlong and stuck to her task well, returning from a break since she finished third in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes at Naas in May. 

James Kelly, racing manager to the winning owner, said: "She's only back with Dermot four-and-a-half weeks and that's why Pat held on to her for as long as he could as we thought she might blow up. She's had a few little problems but she should be open to plenty of improvement after that."

Winning trainer Dermot Weld has an autumn campaign in mind for the daughter of Dalakhani.

"She did it nicely and is a very consistent filly and we're hoping we'll have a very enjoyable autumn with her. She finished fourth in the Irish Oaks last year and my only concern beforehand was she might need the run. We may have a look at the likes of the Prix De l'Opera for her on Arc day [Oct 4]."