Depth of Tasmanian two-year-olds strong

The Dandy Patch Stakes series for two-year-old colts and geldings has produced some harness racing stars over the years and this year's series should be no exception.

The two heats of this season's series at Luxbet Park Hobart on Sunday night proved the depth of talent in Tasmania's juvenile harness ranks is as strong as ever.

The heats were won by first-starter Izaha from the Todd Rattray stable and the in-form Feelin Dusty prepared by Paul Hill.

Izaha (Roll With Joe-Our Zellweger) settled last in his heat while the heavily-backed favourite Dufrene led but Izaha stormed home to defeat the favourite by seven metres with Pezzamystic two metres astern.

It was a very impressive debut and given the colt is likely to take a lot of benefit from the outing he could start a warm favourite in the final if he draws a good gate.

Feelin Dusty (Mr Feelgood-Maybe Elite) made the most of the pole position to lead and despite being challenged a lap from home he still had plenty in reserve when he hit the line well clear of Maybe Jack with Run Wick a distant third.

Hill's filly Ideal Bliss is likely to start a short-price favourite to win the Evicus Stakes final for fillies following her impressive win in the Evicus Prelude over 1609 metres.

With Rohan Hillier in the cart, Ideal Bliss settled just beyond midfield in the one-out line with cover while Jeanette Barry led from the pole position.

Hillier sent Ideal Bliss around the field with a lap to go to face the breeze and when he called on the filly for the big effort in the home straight she responded well and went on to score by 1.4 metres from Jeanette Barry with Inwil a distant third.

The leader fought back strongly but in the end it was the class of Hill's filly that shone through.

Peter Staples