Four-year-old Always B Miki mare Shes Allaboutluv opened her winning account in Tasmania, when winning first up in a no more than three lifetime wins event over 2200m in Launceston on Sunday night.
Supported in betting, from $1.85 into $1.50 on the Tasmanian Official Price, driver Rohan Hillier kept the Chris Howlett-trained mare out of the early speed battle to settle one-out and two-back, before a mid-race move to find the spot outside the leader near the 1400m.
After a slick 27.7s back straight section, the mare proved too classy for her rivals in a 29.1s final quarter to score by 15.4m over Keayang Galliano ($3), with Our Sweet Trixie ($20) third in a mile rate of 1:58.3s.
“We had given her a trial, and then they called for extra nominations, so we thought we would put her in and see how she went.
“We didn’t know what to expect other than that she went okay. Rohan (Hillier) was impressed with her,” said Chris on Monday afternoon.
“Rohan gave her a couple of flicks down the home straight, and she knuckled down pretty good.
“She is one of those horses that only does what she has to, and (Queensland-based driver) Nathan Dawson gave her a good push when Braden was looking at buying her.”
The mare had two trials on the South Island of New Zealand in July, before being purchased to race in Queensland, where she won two of her four starts, and was recently sold to Braden Howlett.
“We haven’t looked too far ahead. The Harry Holgate is this week in Launceston and is an option, and the George Johnson is coming up, but we will just see what happens and will be guided by her.”
Chris Howlett is one of the part-owners of Tasmania’s best pacer at present, Triedtotellya, who is trained by Rohan Hillier, and the recent Hobart Pacing Cup winner is expected to line up in Friday night’s first heat of the Group 1 Tasmania Cup.
“Rohan said he is kicking his brand off when I briefly asked him on Sunday, but I just leave it all up to him.”
