Victorian visitor Bullys Delight survived a double protest to score an upset win in a sensational $75,000 Tasmania Cup final in Hobart on Saturday night.
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The drivers of runner-up The Shallows and third-placed Lip Reader both lodged objections against the winner who shifted up the track in the home straight.
It was also alleged that Bullys Delight's driver Rhys Nicholson had broken the rules by hocking (allowing his foot to contact the back of his horse's leg) and illegal whip use.
However, after a lengthy deliberation, stewards ruled that the placings would stand, with the winning margin (4.6m) possibly a factor.
Nicholson gave Bullys Delight, trained by his father John 'Bulldog" Nicholson, a lovely run in the one-out line before dashing clear turning for home.
The winner started at $13 with the two horses expected to dominate the race finishing at the rear.
Driver Anthony Butt said favourite Willie Go West ($1.85) "got knocked over just after the start", dropping out to last, while Greg Sugars said Triple Eight ($2.80) "did too much work" from his 30m mark.
John Nicholson also won the $30,000 Tasmanian Derby with Alby Two Chains.
There was a minor upset in the $30,000 Tasmanian Oaks when former Kiwi filly Annerie stormed home to beat $1.22 favourite Momentslikethese who had enjoyed a soft lead.
Annerie was having her first start for Victorian trainer Dean Braun who also won the $20,000 George Johnson with $1.09 favourite Our Princess Tiffany.
Braun said Our Princess Tiffany and stablemate Willie Go West would both stay for the Easter Cup.
STILL A STAR 'DIDN'T HANDLE WET TRACK'
Tasmanian mare Still A Star didn't get a chance to show her best in the $5 million All-Star Mile at Moonee ValIey on Saturday according to jockey Brendon McCoull.
"I don't know if she handled the class, but she certainly didn't handle the track," McCoull said.
"She travelled well but as soon as the pressure came on, she struggled."
Still A Star's part-owner Ron Riley said McCoull "couldn't have ridden her any better."
"Just didn't handle the going but no other excuse," he said.
Trainer Bill Ryan said he was proud of the mare's effort and promised "she'll be back" to have another crack at winning in Melbourne.
Still A Star finished 13th, just over 12-1/2 lengths from the winner Mugatoo, earning connections $50,000.
Seven of the 15 jockeys that rode in the race said their mounts didn't handle the conditions.
They included Damian Lane who finished alongside Still A Star on the favourite Probabeel.
The track was downgraded from a soft 6 to a soft 7 immediately after the race.
