Triedtotellya – Tasmania’s new glamour boy with a story to match

Triedtotellya has become the new headline act of Tasmanian harness racing, and his recordbreaking win in the $40,000 Hobart Cup, where he slashed 1.7 seconds off the track record, has only amplified the buzz.

But behind the brilliance is a back story every bit as compelling as his rise to stardom.

The Howlett family’s journey with the gelding began at the 2014 Melbourne Yearling Sale, where they set their sights on a colt by Santanna Blue Chip out of Ballroom Belle. When they were outbid, they pivoted — purchasing Ballroom Belle herself, then in foal to Shadow Play.

After several unsuccessful attempts to get the mare back in foal, the Howletts sent her to Well Said, winner of the 2009 Little Brown Jug. The resulting foal was Triedtotellya.

He showed talent early, winning three races as a twoyearold, including the Dandy Patch.

“We tipped him out for a good spell after that win, but then he did his tendon the day before he was due to resume. It cost him his entire threeyearold season,” said managing owner Braden Howlett.

“He won firstup when he finally came back, and then the same injury reoccurred again. He did the same tendon three times.”

Knowing they had something special, the Howletts made a pivotal decision: they sent Triedtotellya to Rohan Hiller at Beauty Point, where he could be trained on soft sand and have regular access to the beach.

That move has proven transformative. Since joining Hiller’s stable, Triedtotellya has produced nine wins and a second from ten starts, prompting many to suggest he may be the best horse Tasmania has produced since champion Beautide.

His main mission this preparation is the Group 1 Tasmania Cup, which this year shifts to a randombarrierdraw mobile start.

“We would have loved to take him to Melbourne for one of their big Cups, but when you can stay home and race for $40,000 in the Devonport Cup on January 31, it makes sense,” Howlett said.

If everything continues to track the right way, Triedtotellya may also earn himself a winter campaign — with a trip to Brisbane for the Inter Dominion in July firmly on the radar.

by Gary Newton for Harnesslink