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GROWL a one-time Caulfield Cup favourite produced one of the best performances of his career to score an effortless win in the $400,000 Group 3 AAMI Hobart Cup over 2200 metres at Tattersall's Park in Hobart today.

It was the seven-year-old's first win in almost three years. Trainer David Hayes even tried him over hurdles in an attempt to revitalise his form but it was a change to the gelding's training regime late last year that gave him a new lease on life.

"We looked at this race for him once he started to show form and we are so pleased we chose this path," said the Hayes' stable assistant trainer Garry Fennessey.

It was a rough and tumble Cup early and in the middle stages with a multitude of runners vying for a good sport early.

At the 1200-metre peg a few runners were spat out the back when interference had a domino effect on the field, which was considered the best assembled in a Hobart Cup in decades.

But while some of the more favoured runners, including the favourite Rathsallagh ($4.40) were struggling to make ground, Growl sped around the field to stake his claim.

Once balanced at the top of the straight jockey Brad Rawiller gave him his head and he burst clear and went on to score by over four lengths from De Fine Lago with Tasmanian gelding Dream Pedlar a fast-finishing third.

Growl has faced the starter 32 times for seven wins and nine placings with the AAMI Hobart Cup winner's purse of $220,000 taking his stake earnings to almost $740,000.

Rathsallagh finished last and 35 lengths from the winner but a vet's examination post race revealed she had pulled up lame, as did last year's Sydney Cup winner Ista Kareem.

Listen to what Garry Fennessey and jockey Brad Rawiller had to say about Growl's Cup win.