Waqaas completes quick double for connections

After winning the previous contest with Florencio Jamie Osborne, Melbourne 10 Racing, and Lisa O'Neill quickly doubled-up with Waqaas in the Hibernia Steel (Q.R) Race.

Previously trained by Charles Hills, and purchased for 30,000 guineas at Tattersalls in July, the son of Showcasing was expected to deliver today.

Sent off the 5/4 favourite, the bay victor was toward the head of affairs throughout, and had a good battle with market rival Royal Admiral (11/4) from the furlong pole, with just a head between them at the line.

Jamie Codd was aboard the runner-up for Adrian McGuinness, while Alfirak (11/2) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Osborne said afterwards: "After the first two races it was a bit of deja vu but any day with two winners is a good one.

"We'll be back next year, the boys love it. It's an annual event for us and there's going to be no shying away."

O'Neill added: "The lads are here to enjoy themselves so it's great for them. They were very good to give me the rides.

"This lad took a bit more work than I thought he would. That's just his type but he got there in the end.

"He's idled a little bit and had a little bit of a run around but he got the head down on the line and that's the main thing.

"Kate Harrington was very good to get me the rides. It's fantastic to ride a double here, I know a lot of the people around here, and my mam and dad are here too so it's great."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson