Docklands (left) beat Rosallion by the shortest possible distance Docklands was a dramatic winner of the opening race at Royal Ascot as the 14-1 shot beat favourite Rosallion by a nose. The winner, trained by Harry Eustace, just gained victory in the Queen Anne Stakes in a photo finish, despite jockey Mark Zahra losing his whip in the closing stages. "Everyone kept scaring me with the whip rules so I thought it was just as easy to throw it away at the 200-metre mark," joked Australian Zahra. The 100-1 outsider Cairo was third, with Notable Speech fourth after rider William Buick also lost his whip and struggled to find a clear passage. Docklands won the Britannia Stakes at the 2023 meeting before finishing second in the Queen Anne last year. It is one of three top-level Group One races on the first day, alongside the King Charles III Stakes and Prince Of Wales's Stakes. Royal Ascot day one results Around 270,000 spectators are expected at the Berkshire track over the five days. Ascot is confident it can cope with a week of warm weather, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 29C by Saturday. "Thoroughbred racehorses are able to run in very hot temperatures, including in countries such as Dubai," said a course spokesperson. "To ensure their welfare here at Royal Ascot we provide them with lots of water and ice if necessary. "We've had days at Royal Ascot over 30C and we have a dedicated team of people to help cool the horses after they've raced." Going conditions are described as good to to firm, with the ground watered to help with safety for runners and riders. The course's dress code was relaxed for the first time during a heatwave three years ago, but the same is not expected to happen this week.
Docklands claims dramatic Royal Ascot win by a nose
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Docklands Secures Narrow Victory in Royal Ascot's Opening Race"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Docklands emerged as the surprising victor in the opening race at Royal Ascot, clinching a narrow win over the favorite Rosallion by just a nose in a thrilling finish. The horse, trained by Harry Eustace and starting at odds of 14-1, showcased impressive resilience as jockey Mark Zahra lost his whip in the final stages of the race. Zahra humorously remarked about his decision to discard the whip, indicating that he was wary of the whip rules and opted to throw it away at the 200-meter mark to avoid penalties. The race also saw Cairo, a 100-1 outsider, secure third place, while Notable Speech finished fourth, with William Buick, the rider, also facing challenges after losing his whip and struggling to navigate through the field. Docklands previously won the Britannia Stakes at the 2023 meeting and finished second in the Queen Anne last year, making this victory particularly significant in his racing career.
The opening day of Royal Ascot is marked by high expectations, with around 270,000 spectators anticipated to attend the event over the course of five days. The weather forecast suggests warm temperatures, potentially reaching 29 degrees Celsius by Saturday, prompting organizers to assure that they are prepared to handle the heat. A spokesperson for the course highlighted that thoroughbred racehorses are capable of racing in hot conditions, similar to those experienced in Dubai. To ensure the welfare of the horses, Ascot has implemented measures including providing ample water and ice as necessary. The going conditions for the races are reported to be good to firm, with precautions taken to ensure the safety of both runners and riders. Although the dress code was relaxed during a previous heatwave, similar adjustments are not anticipated for this year’s event, maintaining a degree of formality amidst the warm weather.
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