21 November 2022 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Matthew Howlett only got his trainer’s license last year.
The 26-year-old has trained 12 winners, and on Sunday night in Hobart, he claimed his second Group 2 win in the space of a week when Triedtotellya scored in the Prydes Easifeed Dandy Patch.
Matthew, who took the drive, was forced to sit outside the leader in the 2090m event before putting up a great battle with Karalta Artemis up the home straight, with only a half-head separating the pair in a 27.7s final quarter.
“It wasn’t the plan to sit in the death, but that’s what happened, and it worked out alright,” said Matthew post-race.
It was the third win at start seven for the youngster, who has kept improving according to his trainer-driver.
“He wasn’t too good early, but he has kept improving, and now he wants to race,” Matthew explained.
The gelded son of Well Said is owned and bred by Matthew with his brother Braden and their father, Chris.
“We decided to change to the younger horses now the boys have out-drove their claims a few years ago, and it seems to be paying dividends,” said Chris post-race.
Chris has only recently returned from a stint in Longreach in central Queensland, where he has been driving a stagecoach of ex-pacers.
He was quick to point out that all four of his children deserved the credit for the family’s recent success, which included Mickey Oh’s Group 2 Globe Derby win in Launceston last week.
Mickey Oh also won last season’s Dandy Patch giving the Howlett clan back-to-back wins in the race.
“I have only been back a fortnight, so I can’t say too much, but they have done a good job.
Matthew Howlett ended the night with a training and driving double, winning the last race of the night with Iden Black Prince, who was taken straight to the lead and pulled out all stops late for a half-neck win.
The win continued the good run of owner-breeder Elliott Booth, who also had success in the race prior with Iden Miss Lucy for the Christian Salter and Mark Yole combination.
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