IN his day Chris Howlett was a fierce competitor in the sulky and winning multiple races on cards at the old Royal Showground circuit came with monotonous regularity.
But when his children became old enough to drive in races he took a back seat and set about training a few just to get the children involved.
In Hobart last Sunday night the veteran was back in the winner’s circle, much to the delight of his three sons, Justin, Braden and Matthew, who are talented reinsmen in their own right.
Chris guided outsider Frankie Falzoni to victory in a C1 event over 2090 metres to give him his first winner in eight years.
Howlett’s previous winner was The Knucklebuster in Hobart back in 2007.
Howlett hadn’t driven in a race since he partnered the same horse in a 2YO race in
Hobart in July 2013.
“I don’t do much driving these days. I leave it up to the boys,” Howlett said.
“It’s nice to drive a winner just to prove I can still do it,” he said.
The photograph that captured Howlett senior winning aboard Frankie Falzoni also shows his son Mathew, who drover third [placegetter Tinkers taxi, sporting an adoring smile as his Dad urges Frankie Falzoni to the line.
Mathew has emerged as one of the state’s most promising young reinsmen and his older brother Braden also is a natural.
Eldest son Justin was the first to take to the sulky and he has matured into a very competent reinsman.
From all reports Chris and Donna Howlett’s daughter Eliza, 15, also is hell bent on securing a driver’s licence.
Eliza is a regular at the pony races at country meetings and she will be at New Norfolk on Australia Day competing aboard her pony Bush Tucker Man.
Photo courtesy of Milton Pettit.