Ranking outsider Twilight Dancer (Capt Midnight) caused a shock when she finished too strong to beat heavy favorite Bridwood Maisey to win the $75,000 Woodlands Stud Evicus Final for two-year-old fillies in Hobart on Saturday evening.
Bridwood Maisey was considered unbeatable after her effortless wins at Launceston and Hobart in similar races. However, at the start she was taken over by Daisypea, who was unable to cross, but then she broke away and confused a number of runners.
Jordan Chibnall was content following Twilight Dancer. Running the first quarter in 27.3 seconds may have proved Bridwood Maisey’s undoing as she tried to get away from her rivals at the straightening. But she could not meet the challenges of Queen Anastasia and Twilight Storm.
And in a tight finish it was Twilight Dancer who beat Bridwood Maisey by just under two metres, with Queen Anastasia finishing a close third.
Twilight Dancer, raced by her breeder Shane Hawes and trained by Kent Rattray, had failed to impress in her first two races but last night’s effort was enough to suggest this was no fluke and she will continue to improve. However, Bridwood Maisey will be better in that effort and she should make up for it quickly.
The Woodlands Stud Dandy Patch Final for two-year-old stallions and geldings was another surprising result thanks to the success of Solo Safari (Lather up).
The big favorite Likeyouforreason had to race outside the leader when Qualify refused to surrender the front. Barber Shop, who was backed to beat the favourite, landed with one out and one back, while Solo Safari was able to move behind the leader from his second row.
Likeyouforreason started to show signs of fear around the final corner, but Solo Safari’s driver Mitch Ford took the inside run to stay clear of Barber Shop, who continued to battle with Always Bettor in third.
Solo Safari is played by the Solotrek Syndicate and trained by Bianca Heenan.
The colt is out of the former bright New South Wales mare Weona Badgirl who won at Harold Park. Weona Badgirl has been a great breeding success, producing multiple winners including 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.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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