Boom Tasmanian pacer Triedtotellya will make his race track return in Launceston on Sunday afternoon, when he lines up in the second heat of the Lees Orchard Tassie Golden Apple (2200m), a conditioned standing start event.
The injury-plauged pacer hasn’t been defeated since joining the Rohan Hillier stable earlier this year, winning six starts, including a then state record 1:53.7s win in March, a heat and final of the Easter Cup in April, and the Launceston Mile in May.
Connections had hoped for a spot in the Brisbane Inter Dominion, but the pacer had to boost his ranking, and came to the end of his preparation at the time he would have had to commence his travel to Queensland.
The five-year-old gelded son of Well Said kicked off his current preparation with a fourth placing in a Carrick Park trial on 3 November, where he was defeated nine metres in a mile rate of 2:09.8s, on a rain-affected track.
“I left the blocks off him, as he travels too well with them on, so I left them off to give him an easy trial, which he did. He didn’t like the water hitting him in the face, and he pulled up really well, and he has improved since that,” said Hillier.
Triedtotellya faces a 20m handicap in his Golden Apple heat.
“The conditions of the race probably don’t suit him too much, but it’s there, and what else do you go in?
“He seems to be going pretty well, and we are happy enough with him.”
Hillier will assess how the pacer returns before firming up plans for the rest of the preparation.
“He will tell us where he needs to go, and we will get through the next few weeks and go from there.
Sunday’s program also includes the Nutrien Ag Solutions Globe Derby Prelude and two heats of the 6ty° Bandbox for the Tasbred Three Year Olds, both with interstate interest.
The finals for all races will be held on Saturday night, 29 November.