Standout performances from Phoenix Open and his colourful owner Fleming

Wednesday: Gowran Park

It was a memorable day for Laois trainer Shane Duffy and flamboyant owner Garry Fleming as Phoenix Open put in a dominant performance in the second division of the mile apprentice handicap.

Horses drawn low held a distinct advantage throughout the day, and rider Mikey Sheehy took full advantage of Phoenix Open's berth in stall one. He sat in the first two throughout and edged clear in the last furlong to account for front-runner Fit For Function by two and a quarter lengths.

It was not hard to spot the bright orange silks of the winning rider, and one member of the press, on seeing a gentleman wearing a distinctive orange suit heading into the parade ring after the race, uttered the immortal words: "He's hardly the owner, is he?"

He very much was. The orange suit was embellished by a black shirt and an orange tie, and the trainer could hardly have uttered kinder words about him.

He said: "Mine's only a small yard and Garry and his wife Maj have been supporting me through thick and thin. It means the world to me to get the winner for him. He's a professor in Trinity College and he loves his racing – he is always there for me and nothing is ever a problem."

He added: "I've been kicking myself going home with this horse a few times this year wondering how we got beat. His form is actually quite good but he just needs everything to fall right for him, so hopefully we can get another one before the year is out."

Duffy did not have a double but he went home with two winners after making a successful claim for Chicago Lightening after she landed the fillies' claimer for Johnny Murtagh and rider Ben Coen.

Touching moment for Weld

Dermot Weld and Chris Hayes, set to team up with Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs in the Matron Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend, combined successfully with the well-bred Touching Clouds in the 7f maiden.

A daughter of War Front and Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway, she had been tried over longer trips, including over 1m2f at the Curragh on her previous start, but seven furlongs proved much more suitable and she showed a level of toughness here to hold off runner-up Accomplished after going to the front early in the straight.

Weld said: "She's a very well-bred filly. I trained the dam Princess Highway and the granddam Irresistible Jewel to win the Ribblesdale Stakes, so it was important to get a winning bracket for her."

He added: "She loves that fast ground. I think today's trip is ideal, although she will be effective over a mile. Her sister [Chiara Luna] won over six furlongs and that is why I came back in trip with her today. She did it well and we go forward from here."

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