Surprises galore in Tasmania’s two year old classics.

Rank outsider Twilight Dancer (Capt Midnight) caused a shock when she finished too strongly to outstay the hot favourite Bridwood Maisey to take out the $75,000 Woodlands Stud Evicus Final for two year old harness racing fillies at Hobart on Saturday night.

Bridwood Maisey was considered unbeatable following her effortless wins at Launceston and Hobart in similar races. However at the start she was taken on by Daisypea who couldn’t cross over but then she broke up and disorganised a number of runners.

Jordan Chibnall was content to take the trail on Twilight Dancer. Running the first quarter in 27.3 seconds may have proved to be the undoing of Bridwood Maisey as she tried to move away from her rivals on straightening. But she couldn’t off the challenges of Queen Anastasia and Twilight Storm.

And in a tight finish it was Twilight Dancer who edged out Bridwood Maisey by just under two metres with Queen Anastasia a close third.

Raced by her breeder Shane Hawes and trained by Kent Rattray, Twilight Dancer had not impressed in her opening two races but last night’s effort was enough to suggest that this was no fluke and she will continue to improve. However Bridwood Maisey will be better for that effort and she should make amends soon.

The Woodlands Stud Dandy Patch Final for two year old colts and geldings was another surprise result with the success of Solo Safari (Lather up).

Hot favourite Likeyouforareason was left racing outside the leader when Qualify refused to hand up the front.  Barber Shop who was backed to beat the favourite landed with the one out and one back while Solo Safari was able to move up behind the leader from his second row draw.

Likeyouforareason started to show signs of distress on the final bend but Solo Safari’s driver Mitch Ford took the inside run to draw clear ahead of Barber Shop who continued to battle away with Always Bettor in third placing.

Solo Safari is raced by the Solotrek Syndicate and trained by Bianca Heenan.

The colt is out of former smart New South Wales mare Weona Badgirl who won at Harold Park. Weona Badgirl has been a great success at stud leaving multiple winners including the prolific performers Deflector, Weona Sizzler and War Dan Bad Girl. She also has a yearling filly by Fear The Dragon and a weanling colt by Stay Hungry.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink