Gift From Heaven and Billy Lee winning at Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
David Wachman saddled a one two in the opening six furlong maiden for two-year-olds at Fairyhouse, but not in the order punters expected.
The experienced Slope was sent off the 11/8 favourite and when he battled past long-time leader Scotland Forever inside the final furlong it looked like favourite backers would collect.
However, the Wachman second string Gift From Heaven (8/1 from 12/1) was already winding up her challenge and swooped past the favourite in the last half furlong to score by three lengths on debut with Billy Lee in the saddle. Barbados Bob was back in third at 14/1.
“She’d want good ground, but has always showed class at home. She will probably have to travel as we’ll be aiming now at a fillies’ stakes race,” David Wachman said.
“She won’t have learned too much there as they only went a hack canter.”
This was Slope’s third runner-up finish from five starts.
(On course reporting by Alan Magee)
