STAR Tasmanian pacer Triedtotellya typifies what the Inter Dominion is all about.
The gelding probably can’t win the $1 million Brisbane Inter Dominion final on July 18, but connections are just desperate to be part of the iconic series.
“I’m getting on, I may not get another horse good enough to have a crack at an Inter Dominion,” 53-year-old trainer-driver Rohan Hillier said.
“Realistically, making the final would be a win for us. I’d be rapt if he could do that and anything more would be a bonus.
“I think he can make it (the final). If he gets some luck with barrier draws, I think he can surprise some of the doubters.”
Managing owner Braden Howlett added: “It’s all about being part of a great series like the Inter Dominion. We all may never get another good enough to give it a crack.”
Racing in an Inter Dominion against Leap To Fame, arguably Australia’s greatest pacer of all time, is another buzz.
“It makes it harder, but what a privilege it will be to be in the same series and hopefully race against him. What a horse he is,” Hillier said.
Hillier will take Triedtotellya into the series fresh by design.
He hasn’t raced since winning the Launceston Mile on May 10 and won’t even trial before the opening round of heats on July 4.
“I know the horse and a race or even a trial before it wouldn’t be in his best interests. He goes so well fresh,” Hillier said.
The injury-plagued Triedtotellya, who boasts 20 wins from just 28 starts, starts his journey to Brisbane with a boat trip to Melbourne next Tuesday.
After he struggled with a trip to Perth in April, Hillier is spacing the travel to Brisbane.
“We’re doing it in legs,” he said. “We will stop and have two days at Chris Alford’s place, then do the next leg to Sydney and stay a few days with Jimmy Rattray.
“When Jimmy heads to Brisbane, we’ll go with him, which means we’ll get there about a week or so before the first round of heats.”
The Rattray connection is strong and very Tasmanian given he trained and drove the great Beautide, the last Tasmanian pacer to win an Inter Dominion, to back-to-back Grand Final wins at Menangle in 2014 and ’15.
Triedtotellya is Tasmania’s best pacer since Beautide and is the reigning Tassie Horse of the Year.
PHOTO: Stacey Lear Photography
