MATTHEW HOWLETT yearned to follow in the footsteps of his two older siblings and make a name for himself as a harness racing driver.
Howlett, 16, could hardly wait until he was old enough to secure a licence to drive in trials and then progress to participating at he races.
His older brothers Justin and Braydon have tasted their fair share of success and their careers in the sulky were assisted and encouraged by their father Chris Howlett who is regarded as a talented horseman and astute trainer of standardbreds.
Last Sunday night in Hobart Matthew drove his fourth winner at only his 19th drive when he guided Guerrero to victory in a C2-C3 Pace over 2090 metres in which he trailed the leader to the home turn before bursting through a gap when the leader shifted up the track and went on to win comfortably.
It was Matthew’s third win aboard Guerrero that was purchased by his father for only $4000 and the gelding has since been responsible for depositing $35,000 in prize money into the family bank account.
Young Howlett is a year 11 student at Guildford Young’s Glenorchy campus where his classmates have constructed a special Matthew Howlett Harness Racing Facebook page that delivers messages pre and post-race for all of his drives.
“I love driving and I like working with horses, especially Guerrero,” Howlett said.
“For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a harness driver and it has been good so far.”
“It was a big thrill when I won my first race and winning three times on Guerrero is brilliant,” he said.
Howlett’s four wins include a double two weeks ago in Hobart when he also partnered Jilliby Rio to victory.