Exciting Victorian Sets Hobart Thousand Pace

EXCITING Victorian youngster Tiggerlong Tonk thundered into next week's Ladbrokes sponsored Group 1 Hobart Thousand Final with a stunning 25.55 heat victory on Thursday night.

Heading into the heats fresh off a slick 25.66 trial at Hobart, the son of Dyna Double One was simply awesome taking out the fifth and final qualifier, defeating track record holder Stanley Gordon by 1 ¾ lengths.

Winner at eight of his 16 appearances, the talented Correy Grenfell-trained juvenile rubber-stamped his Hobart Thousand claims with a sizzling 24.91 Ballarat victory on November 27.

Next week's $75,000 to-the-winner decider is shaping up as an absolute cracker, with one of the key points of interest the expected improvement Hooked On Scotch will take out of Thursday's runner-up second to fellow Victorian Grey Ghost in 25.74.

Australia's number one sprinter went into the series without the benefit of a trial at the tricky Hobart circuit, with the general consensus he'll come along in leaps and bounds with the benefit of his first Hobart hit-out, looking to secure a second group 1 title.

On a night of fantastic racing, Jillian Stamford's duo Stop Line and Leica Prayer were victorious in their heats, running 25.99 and 25.98 respectively.

First and second in the recent group 3 Devonport Chase Final (452m), Stop Line looked a forlorn chance in running before sprouting wings to runaway with the prize over a tiring Peco Can late in proceedings.

Later in the program, Raging Ralston put up a similar performance, charging home along the fence to defeat Atley Quick by 1 ½ lengths in 25.91.

The three fastest seconds joining the five heat winners in next week's bumper group 1 finale are Hooked On Scotch, Atley Quick and track record holder Stanley Gordon.

The 25.67 Stanley Gordon recorded finishing second to Tiggerlong Tonk sees him go into next week's rich final as the second fastest qualifier.

The all important box draw will be conducted at a gala function this Saturday night.