Triedtotellya continued his domination of the Tasmanian harness racing scene over the past 13 months, claiming the $40,000 Ladbrokes Hobart Pacing Cup (2579m) at listed level and smashing the track record in the process.
Triedtotellya ($2.05) showed brilliant gate speed to lead, before settling on the back of the race favourite Mach Dan ($1.80).
Trainer-driver Rohan Hillier made his move turning for home, where he let down with a brilliant turn of speed to score by 5.6m over Mach Dan, and it was 29.8m back to the rest, headed by Keayang Fitzy finishing third.
The mile rate of the winner was 1:55.8s, with the previous record of 1:57.5s, jointly held by Kingman (2/11/24) and Willie Go West (9/01/22).
Mach Dan’s individual mile rate was 1:56.0s, Keayang Fitzy and The Shallows (4th) both recorded 1:57.4s, all inside the previous record.
It is the first time since the 2006 Inter Dominion that the 2579m track record has been held by a Tasmanian-bred pacer.
“His gate speed surprised me a bit. I think he is a better horse when he follows speed, and we were in the right spot at the right time.
“He just doesn’t feel like he is running those times. He just does it so easily,” said Hillier post-race.
“It felt like we ran the first quarter in 33 (seconds), and then it flashed up in 30.3s, that’s just how he feels.”
Rohan Hillier confirmed the pacer will remain in Tasmania, and will be aimed at the Group 1 Tasmania Cup heats and final, which this year moved back to a random barrier draw mobile start event.
The day’s other feature was the $14,000 Paul Belcher @ Roberts Real Estate New Norfolk Cup (2579m), which was won by $4 chance Fleetwood Rock, who led all the way with Gareth Rattray in the sulky.
He defeated Imperial Laz ($9) by 1.8m, with Nova Baxter ($2.90 fav) 2m away third in 2:01.5s.
“It was no surprise to me, once he drew one, and with the G-man (Gareth Rattray) on him, I thought if he would step, he would win,” said winning trainer Wayne Yole post-race.
