Sport | Horse Racing
Duplicity's strong show helps Hannon secure double
Heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of race goers as the three-day Dubai Summer Festival got off to a festive start at Newbury Racecourse on Friday, where the majority of the day's seven races threw up some hot competition.
- By Leslie Wilson Jr, Sports Editor
- Published: 23:30 July 17, 2009
- Image Credit: Image: P K Majed
- Duplicity, ridden by Richard Hughes and trained by Richard Hannon, wins the Listed Rose Bowl at Newbury Racecourse on Friday.
London: Heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of race goers as the three-day Dubai Summer Festival got off to a festive start at Newbury Racecourse on Friday, where the majority of the day's seven races threw up some hot competition.
Duplicity, under a strong ride by Richard Hughes, landed the featured Rose Bowl Stakes, to give trainer Richard Hannon a quick double. This was following his win with Emerald Commander in the Highclere Maiden Stakes. Hearts of Fire, ridden by Paul Eddery for his brother Pat Eddery, was a length second with Hannon's second runner Deal, a half length further back in third.
Frankie Dettori put his name on the winner's list when he partnered the Paul Cole-trained Stan's Cool Cat to win the EP 50 years at Newbury Fillies Handicap. A short head separated the next two home, the Pat Cosgrave ridden Accede and Robert Winston's game Straits of Hormuz.
Earlier, Martin Dwyer excelled in testing conditions to propel Connipton to victory in the day's opening race, the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes.
Despite the bad weather, several hundred thousand race goers turned up at Newbury racecourse which wore a festive looks thanks to the well-organised themed events.
One of the highlights of the day was an ambitious art competition for students which was launched to celebrate the Dubai Summer Festival.
The colourful camels competition challenged students from West Berkshire to create an innovative design to reflect the cultural associations and differences between the United Kingdom and the UAE. A prize of £3,500 (Dh20,984) awaits the winner who will be named tomorrow when the racecourse plays host to the popular Dubai International Arabian Race Day under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Finance Minister.
Mirza Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Dubai International Arabian Race Day Committee and director of Shaikh Hamdan's office and Shadwell Estate Company was delighted with the response to their efforts.
"We have been so impressed by the enthusiasm that the people have shown, and in particular the students and teachers have shown [such enthusiasm for] the project that we have increased the prize money to ensure that every school taking part will receive at least £500."
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