Tasmanian raider Triedtotellya has been ruled out of the Group 1 $1.25 million Nullarbor (2536m) at Gloucester Park just days before the contest after becoming inappetent following travel to WA, forcing slot holder Swandoo Harness Racing to take local pacer Hugotastic in an eleventh hour move.

Triedtotellya, an untapped six-year-old trained by Rohan Hillier, had thrilled the Apple Isles’ racing fans by winning 19 of his 26 starts, prompting Swandoo’s Jim Giumelli to sign the flashy black gelding for WA’s premier race.

But after flying from Melbourne to Perth on Friday, it became evident the speedster was not himself and co-owner Braden Howlett said they could not press on.

“We’re gutted,” Howlett said.

“He hasn’t eaten since travelling and we’re not going to take any chances. We’re also going to look into circumstances about communication with the travel that could’ve been handled better.

“It was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it has come at a decent cost to all involved.

“It’s just devastating, really.”

Giumelli also thought he had the right horse for the job, favouring him over an army of horses already at his disposal.

“Swandoo have got about 38 horses but not one of them is ready for the Nullarbor. We thought Triedtotellya could do better than anything we could put up,” he said.

“It was disappointing because we thought we had the other horse but the trainer said he’d rather not start because he’s not eating as good as he should be. We think he’ll be okay for the Fremantle Cup (next week).”

Acting quickly, Giumelli approached Hugotastic’s trainer Michael Young and came to terms on acquiring the dashing son of Sweet Lou, who finished second to Magnificent Storm in the Bunbury Cup just two starts ago.

“We rang Michael and he said, ‘yeah, no problem’ and agreed to the conditions. It was all done within 10 minutes or so,” Giumelli said.

“He ran well in the Bunbury Cup and he’s had a pretty good lead-up, with three runs including the cup.

“It is a last minute swap over but beggars can’t be choosers, I suppose, and this horse is cherry ripe for a run; it’s not like he’s been sitting around unraced for the last two to three weeks.

“If he draws well, he’ll give it a good nudge. Michael is pretty happy with his claims.”

Ironically, you could probably not find a more alike substitute for Triedtotellya than Hugotastic.

Hugotastic is also a sparingly raced six-year-old having endured time on the sidelines through injury.

However, whilst being unexposed in the high-tempo races of the upper echelon, he’s also blessed with a lethal turn of foot that has caught the eye in lower grades.

He again made late inroads in Friday’s Governor’s Cup (2130m) behind two Nullarbor fancies Magnificent Storm and Mighty Ronaldo.