Step off to the paddocks after springing surprise

One Small Step sprang a 22/1 surprise when claiming the first of the seven furlong handicaps at Gowran tonight.

The Footstepsinthesand filly was making her second start for Kevin Coleman and was delivered to challenge turning for home by Seamie Heffernan.

She gained a narrow lead a furlong-and-a-half from home and kept on gamely under pressure inside the final furlong, drifting slightly to her right and causing interference to the eventual fourth Andreas Vesalius

After a stewards enquiry her half length victory over the fast finishing Massaman was confirmed.

The winner, who has scored twice for Brian Meehan in England, was as big as 50/1 this morning.

Coleman said:- “She hasn’t shown much at home but we know she likes fast ground and didn’t get it the last day in Naas. She came on a lot from the run and I think she needs to go right-handed — that’s what Emmet (McNamara) said the last day.

“Master Matt and Lord Dudley two sprinters, they went a million and she came through off the strong pace. She won over ten furlongs last year.

“She is going to the breeding shed and her job is done.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)