Highland Tartan and driver Rheo Filion rallied home off cover to score an 11-1 upset victory in the $6,800 Winners Over Handicap Pace on Sunday night (January 15) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
In the evening's featured eighth race, The Love Bug (Sylvain Lacaille) left quickly from post six to secure the lead ahead of 3-5 favourite Wildcat Cam (Tyler Moore) off the gate and posted opening panels of :27.4 and :57.3.
Following in fifth-place, Highland Tartan and Filion flushed out Solid Performance (Brett MacDonald), who advanced first-up and gained a half-length lead by the 1:27.2 third quarter mark. As Solid Performance put away The Love Bug into the stretch, Highland Tartan fanned out wide and closed alongside his fellow longshot in a photo finish.
Highland Tartan is owned by 2099551 Ontario Inc. and John MacMillan, who was announcing the race. In a finish too close to call, the six-year-old Major In Art gelding ended up prevailing by a head in 1:57.2, paying $25.50 to win. Wildcat Cam finished one and a half lengths behind the top pair in third.
The Ed McHale-trained Highland Tartan followed up a season-debuting victory by stablemate Dali On Up in the previous race for claiming pacers.
Many horsemen found success in bunches on the Sunday night card with trainers Gary McDonald, Jamie Copley, and driver Louis-Philippe Roy each winning back-to-back races while driver Tyler Moore won three in a row.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.