Heavenly Heather became the longest-priced all-weather winner at Newcastle as she caused a 200/1 shock for local trainer Tracy Waggott in the BetMGM Fillies' And Mares' Championships Handicap.
All eyes were on defending champion Cloud Cover (11/8F), who was attempting to defy a 14lb higher mark compared to her 2024 success. However, James Tate’s mare never looked like landing a blow from the rear and could only finish a well-beaten 10th.
At the other end of the weights, Heavenly Heather was lining up 22lb out of the handicap, having not previously won in five starts.
Brazilian Rose kicked on into a clear lead with a furlong and a half left but the chasing pack closed inside the final furlong, with Heavenly Heather finishing best of all under Amie Waugh to edge out Aramis Grey (8/1) close home. Half a length separated the first two home, with the same margin back to Shallow (17/2) in third.
Waggott said: “Marvellous! I can’t believe it. I thought Heavenly Heather was a really good horse at home, but she’s heavy topped and heavy framed. She just takes loads of work – as much as you can throw at her.
“When I entered her, I said it’s a £750 entry fee, but I am sure she will be in the first six, because if you take the top two out, it was only a Class 4 handicap.
“We had had big outsiders before but not as big as this. We always knew she was a really good horse, it was just getting her fit, and she’s had knee problems in the past, but patience has paid off.
“I have been training for 20 years. This would be the biggest winner I have had, along with Intrinsic Bond, who won the Great St Wilfrid.”
Waugh said: “I think everything just happened right for her. We got a nice lead, and sometimes it works, when you put horses in these bigger handicaps.
“She was travelling so nice early doors and, at about halfway, I got excited and thought she might pick up some prize money. She just enjoyed it, coming up the rail and having something to work at – she did it nicely.
“Once she hit the front I did think, oh dear, something’s going to get her, but it all worked out. Tracy said beforehand not to look too much into the form and see what happens. Fair play to the team, it has all paid off.
“Days like this, everyone just wants to get rides and be involved, but to get a winner, especially at that price, just makes it all worth it.”
Chris Rain, co-owner with his husband Stuart, said: “My mum, Heather, passed away a year ago and she named this horse before she died. We was not expecting this – we would have been happy with sixth!”
Aramis Grey’s rider Rossa Ryan said: “She has run a belter. She travelled into it lovely, and it might have been a different story if I didn’t have to switch out and around. Jack [Jones, trainer] had her placed perfectly and I am sure there’s another big handicap in her somewhere along the way this year.”
Jack Jones said: “Aramis Grey is a model of consistency – she never runs a bad race. Everything has gone very, very smoothly. Rossa was delighted with her. She probably needs horses around her and has just been done by one she couldn’t really see. Fair play to those guys for taking a chance and winning a pot like that. We are delighted, a little frustrated, but she has won great prize money.”
Hollie Doyle, rider of Shallow, said: “She has run a huge race. We did not know about the seven furlongs, but she seems to have ground it out well. They went very quick, which helped her to relax and stay the trip nicely.”
2.25pm BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap
1 Heavenly Heather (S Rain) Tracy Waggott 4-8-02 Amie Waugh (3) 200/1
2 Aramis Grey (The Musketeers) Jack Jones 8-9-01 Rossa Ryan 8/1
3 Shallow (Phil Cunningham) Richard Spencer 4-8-03 Hollie Doyle 17/2
14 ran 11/8F Cloud Cover (10th)
Tracy Waggott – 1st Finals Day winner
Amie Waugh – 1st Finals Day winner
