Shelaka (left) beats Andromeda © Photo Healy Racing
She came into the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden without any big-race entries and was sent off a 16/1 chance but Shelaka looked a smart filly when putting up an impressive performance on debut.
Chris Hayes bided his time in mid-division on the Dermot Weld-trained daughter of Lope De Vega who made smooth headway on the outer in the straight. She threw down her challenge to odds-on favourite Andromeda in the final furlong and kept on well to master that one by three-parts of a length.
Hayes said: “It was her first day at school and we planned to give her a chance to find her feet. I was impressed the way she picked up.
“She ran a little bit green the last 100 yards but ran through the line.
“She handled the ground well and has the potential to be a Stakes filly.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
