Family pride drives Triedtotellya’s Inter Dominion dream

By Darren Clayton

History, tradition and glory.

There are many factors that make the Inter Dominion the series it is and if you ask harness racing owners, trainers or drivers, it is one event that many of them would love to win.

Triedtotellya arrived in Queensland on Wednesday and the reason he is tackling the Inter Dominion was a simple choice for the Howlett family, who bred and own the gelding they call Ernie.

“We're not afraid to have a crack or take him somewhere. Why not? That's the whole part of racing,” part-owner Braden Howlett said.

While Triedtotellya races under the ownership of Matthew, Braden and Christopher Howlett, it is a family pursuit with everyone playing their part.

The six-year-old is a last-start winner in the Launceston Mile and boasts a record that shows 20 wins from just 28 starts.

As a two-year-old, Triedtotellya completed his first campaign with three wins from seven starts, including a season-ending win in the Dandy Patch, where he defeated fellow ID hopeful Nyack.

Following a three-year-old season that ‘fell apart’, where injuries curtailed the year, he returned as an early-season four-year-old before again facing more time on the sidelines.

“We got specialists from Melbourne and everything over for him," part-owner Braden Howlett said.

“And, they told us there's nothing they could do.”

Able to get back to the track later in 2024, it became a frustration for the Howletts and the decision was then made to send the gelding to the stables of Rohan Hillier at the start of 2025.

Hillier has a strong reputation of successfully dealing with the niggles and injuries that can impact some horses.

“He's got a beach nearby and he's always just been known for being really good with them," part-owner Braden Howlett said.

“We haven't had any issues since."

Under the care of Hillier, Triedtotellya has won some of the biggest races in Tasmania, including the Easter Cup, the Golden Apple, the Launceston Mile (twice), and the Hobart Cup, while finishing a close second in the Tasmania Cup.

Earlier this year, the Howlett family took a slot in the Nullarbor in Perth.

However, the trip did not go to script and Triedtotellya had to be scratched leading up to the event.

Opting to run in the Fremantle Cup the following week, despite being below his best, Triedtotellya finished a credible seventh behind winner Magnificent Storm.

That trip ensured the plans for his Queensland assault would be fine-tuned and although originally looking to contest the Redcliffe Cup, the decision was made to go straight into the first round Inter Dominion heats without another run.

With mile racing dominant across the country, Triedtotellya is one horse that will appreciate the longer distance racing and now the Howletts are just hoping for some luck with barriers.

“If he draws well and crosses, he is lethal coming off a helmet," Braden Howlett said.

“So, ideally, it's find the pegs and follow something.”

The Howlett family very nearly had two horses competing in Brisbane during the carnival, with serious consideration given to accepting a slot in The Protostar.

Haveyoumetmaynard, trained by Christopher Howlett, was super impressive when landing victory at just his second career start at Launceston last Sunday.

Despite the authority of the win and the opinion they hold the two-year-old in, ultimately, they felt it might be too much too soon for him. 

So, it will be just Triedtotellya that they will be cheering for and the goal is to make the ID Final.

“It will also be a big thrill to take on Leap To Fame, as well, hopefully only in the Final though,” Braden Howlett laughed.