The Ladbrokes Easter Cup series begins in Launceston on Sunday night with two heats of the $75,000 Group 3 event (2698m).
10 runners will face the starter in each of the two standing start heats, with the first six across the line guaranteed a spot in the final on Easter Saturday night (4 April).
Triedtotellya began his ascent to Tasmania’s best pacer with his Easter Cup victory in 2025, but has a significant handicap to overcome if he is to defend his title.
After winning in 2025 off the front mark, Triedtotellya has a 40m handicap in 2026. Bookmakers have still installed him as a $1.65 favourite to take out the second heat.
“The horse is great, but we reckon he’s very harshly treated with that handicap,” said trainer/driver Rohan Hillier.
Triedtotellya was crowned the 2025 Ladbrokes Tasmanian Horse of the Year in Hobart on Friday night, after winning eight of his nine starts last year, which included the Easter Cup and Golden Apple at Group 3 level.
His opposition on Sunday night includes 2026 Devonport Pacing Cup winner, Maebee, and Horatius Speculo, who won the Tasmanian 3YO Colt or Gelding of the Year on Friday night.
“The front mark is obviously a big advantage for him, and we were so proud of his effort in the Tasmania Cup, and then things didn’t go to plan at Carrick,” said driver Dylan Ford of Horatius Speculo.
Dylan won his first Tasmanian Drivers’ Premiership last year and is leading the way in 2026 with 23 wins, six clear of Mark Yole in second place. Horatius Speculo is on the second line of betting on Sunday night at $4.20.
“I’ve got such a big opinion of Triedtotellya, he’s still going to be very hard to beat, but we’re very happy with our bloke.”
Ford described his book of drives in Launceston as “ordinary” but gave a good push for Rollwitharty in the last race of the night.
Trainer/driver Conor Crook has a strong hand in the first of the Easter Cup heats, with Magnetic Terror ($3) and Glenledi Elvis ($4.60) both towards the head of the market in an open betting race that sees half the field at less than $7.
Sunday night’s program is set to commence at 17:34 with only the first of nine races scheduled for Sky Racing 2 coverage at the time of writing.
