Fozzy Stack's tactical approach in the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes paid off with a 50/1 triumph from Shandy.
Stack’s two runners, You Send Me and Shandy, took an unconventional route, racing down the stands' side while the main pack stuck to the far side. Over The Blues led the field on the far side, with You Send Me ahead of Shandy on the stands' side.
As the race approached the final furlong, Over The Blues attempted to assert dominance, but Firebird, the 15/8 favourite, angled out from the main pack and surged forward.
However, Shandy, ridden by Andrew Slattery, made a strong finish down the stands' side, ultimately overtaking Firebird to win by a head, with the two horses separated by the width of the track.
British raider Pandora's Gift, at 20/1, finished two and a half lengths behind the leading duo.
Shandy’s only previous victory had been in a maiden race at Cork in March.
Stack commented, “She ran well in her last Listed race here, finishing sixth, and she performed well in this race on her side of the track. We were drawn in stalls 11 and 12, which are less favourable, so we took a chance by going down the stands' side, and it paid off. The ground was in her favour, as she preferred it softer. We experimented with different hoods to address her tendency to over-race, and everything came together today.”