Docklands claims dramatic Royal Ascot win by a nose
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.
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"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 ready for heatwave
Around 270,000 spectators are expected at the Berkshire track over the five days.
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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.
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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.
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