Royal Ascot: Docklands denies Rosallion in Queen Anne Stakes thriller on day one as Mark Zahra strikes | Racing Information

Docklands narrowly bought the higher of Rosallion in an exciting climax to the Queen Anne Stakes.

A powerful area of 10 runners went to put up for the standard Royal Ascot curtain-raiser, with the market dominated by the primary 4 house in final month’s Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Rosallion, who completed third at Newbury, was the 5/2 favorite to get again on the successful path and regarded set to oblige after being produced with a well-timed run by Sean Levey, however having been final out of the beginning stalls earlier than combating his approach to the entrance, Harry Eustace’s 14/1 shot Docklands refused to bend.

Docklands boasts a tremendous file at Ascot having gained twice and positioned 4 occasions, together with when chasing house Charyn on this occasion 12 months in the past – a run which persuaded Eustace to have one other crack on the prize this 12 months.

The coach stated: “I do know everybody says this however I do not know if it should sink in for a bit! There have been plenty of nerve-wracking moments through the race, I’ve to say.

“I wasn’t proud of the tempo early on, he did his common factor and was a step gradual and I saved cursing him. However he is an absolute star, he loves this racetrack and since they went gradual, they most likely bought racing a bit additional out.

“It’s extremely particular. When he was second right here, we knew we had been coming again for one more go.

“On the furlong marker I believed Rosallion was actually coming to us, however he was so courageous in that final furlong. He has been irritating, however solely as a result of I’ve felt he possibly deserved to win the odd race that he ought to have achieved, however fortunately he loves this observe.”

Docklands is owned by the Australian group OTI Racing and had beforehand been ridden by Zahra when unplaced in final 12 months’s Hong Kong Mile, with Richard Kingscote partnering him in two British begins this time period.

Explaining Zahra’s reserving, Eustace added: “It is simply all come collectively, as racing does, all of it occurred properly. I really feel for Richard Kingscote who has been on him the final couple of occasions – there is not any drama there, it is simply that Mark has had this lined up for a short time.

“In a curious method, he bought trapped in a pocket at Epsom and did not have a tough race, and got here right here spot on. I am glad he bought beat at Epsom and gained at Ascot.

“There have been a number of Group One winners in there, the Guineas winners from final 12 months, we had been probably the most uncovered horse most likely, however he loves the observe. That is an enormous, large plus – and he tries bloody arduous!”

Zahra admitted his Royal Ascot experience was a stop-off en path to a deliberate vacation in Ibiza, however the Australian pilot was delighted to make his mark on the world-famous fixture.

He stated: “He simply saved discovering, he is a really powerful horse and he clearly loves this observe. Harry’s achieved an awesome job and no higher feeling on this planet.

“Listening to all of the Aussies over the fence, although the horse is English you’d have thought he was Aussie by all of the screams. What an incredible expertise for unbelievable individuals.

“He is (Harry Eustace) been pumping me up the entire method. I simply began this assembly for a visit on the best way to Ibiza, so for it to show into an enormous win like that is simply very particular. The nearer we bought the extra he stuffed me with confidence and he was proper.

“Each his runs this season have been actually good. I rode him in Hong Kong and simply taking a look at him within the area, he is a totally completely different horse at present.”