Punters fared well at the harness racing meeting at the Luxbet Racing Centre in Launceston on Sunday night with the exception of the Geoff Goodsall Appreciation Stakes (2200m) which was the third event on the eight-race program.
Musselroe Bay started as one of the rank outsiders in the field 12 but he won like a short-priced favourite.
The Andrew Rawlings-trained eight-year-old started at $81 on fixed odds with UBET but paid $136 on the NSW Tote and $132 on SuperTab.
Veteran claimer Sky Tower began brilliantly from outside of the front row to lead while driver Alistair Woods was able to slot Musselroe Bay in behind the leader where he enjoyed a charmed run throughout.
When Woods eased the gelding by Metropolitan out to challenge nearing the home turn he quickly assumed control and then had enough in reserve to stave off all challengers over the final 100 metres.
Sky Tower ($41) stuck on gamely to finish second with Future Promises closing late to grab third ahead of the favourite Mavis Merle ($2.40) that was set a difficult task having to come from last 300 metres from home.
On UBET the quinella was not won but surprisingly the exacta was won and paid $255 with the first four also jackpotting.
Muselroe Bay doesn't win often with his lifetime statistics revealing only nine wins from 88 starts peppered with 19 minor placings for $51,600 in stakes.
Peter Staples