Triedtotellya raced his way into the Group 1 Ladbrokes Tasmania Cup Final (2579m) when leading all the way to claim the first heat in Hobart on Friday night.
The Rohan Hillier-trained and driven pacer was sent out as the $1.14 favourite and had no issues holding the lead from the pole draw.
Triedtotellya recorded a lead time of 72.5s before running quarters in 31.0s, 30.3s, 28.8s and racing away from his rivals in a 26.9s final quarter to score by 11.7m over Celebrity Royal ($8.50) with Dalton Shard a further 3.3m back in third in a mile rate of 1:58.2s.
“He definitely needed the run, having not raced for five weeks, but I’m happy where he is at, and I think he will improve on it,” Hillier said post-race.
Triedtotellya put an easy 10m on his rivals in about three strides passing the 400m, but Hillier believes that the pacer won’t have to lead to win the final.
“He is just so quick, I know he got home in 26.9s, but the last 200m he was knocking off bad. He is the quickest horse I have driven for 200m.
“He is due for a bad marble. He keeps getting nice draws.
“He isn’t the best horse when leading. He sort of knocks off once one isn’t with him, and I’m happy enough not to draw to lead in the final. I think wherever he draws in the final, he will be hard to beat, except if he draws barrier eight (inside of the second line).
“He will just front up in a fortnight, and then we will reassess and go from there,” said Hillier when asked about the pacers future plans.
The first six placegetters from Friday’s heat qualify for the $150,000 Group 1 Final on 28 February, with another heat to be held this Friday, 20 February.
This Friday’s heat is expected to feature horses trained from interstate.
