18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Easy-to-back Shelaka impresses on debut

Fri 11th Aug 2023, 19:11

Shelaka (left) beats Andromeda  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

1st
16/1
Tote €17.00 €2.60
2nd
0.75L
8/11Fav
€1.10
3rd
3L
14/1
€3.60
4th
2.5L
16/1
About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.