Fernando Mick Secures Group 1 Hobart Thousand

IF Fernando Mick had finished his career without a group race victory beside his name it would have been a tragedy.

But connections need worry no more following the son of Fernando Bale's heroic win in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand (452m) on Thursday night.

Going into the $100,000-to-the-winner series fresh off a narrow second to Yachi Bale in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup, Fernando Mick – in career best form – was one of the headline attractions for the showpiece event.

And the David Geall-trained star didn't disappoint, producing mesmerising performances in both his heat and the final to capture his maiden group race triumph following nine previous attempts.

The final was billed as a match in two between Victorian speed demons Fernando Mick and Paua Of Buddy and that's precisely how the group 1 contest played out.

Fernando Mick, following a fair getaway, mustered good speed to charge to the top, while Paua Of Buddy, out in box eight, got into his groove not long after box rise to move into second mid race.

Trainer David Geall adds the Group 1 @ladbrokescomau Hobart Thousand to his Launceston Cup triumph earlier in the year with Hill Top Jack, as Fernando Mick is too strong in another great edition of Australia's longest running feature race. pic.twitter.com/i1XBuXfu67

— Tasracing Australia (@TasracingAus) December 15, 2022

The two cleared out in the latter stages but Fernando Mick always looked to have the race safely in his keeping, scoring on the line by over a length in 25.71 with local chaser Rojo Diamond gallant back in third. 

Fernando Mick now boasts a career record of 32 wins from 92 starts with prizemoney of $507,015 for trainers David and Rose Geall and owner Paul Connell.

For Geall, his rich run of success in Tasmania continued, having secured the Group 2 Launceston Cup in January with Hill Top Jack after finishing third in last year's Hobart Thousand decider with Ferdinand Boy.

But while rejoicing in Thursday night's spectacular Hobart Thousand success, Geall would undoubtedly be left feeling with what could have been, following his omission from a slot in Saturday night's $1.65m The Phoenix.

Meanwhile, earlier in the card it was another Victorian to the fore with Typhoon Sammy taking out the Billy Grice Memorial (461m) in a sharp 25.80 for trainer Jason Thompson.

A race earlier, hugely talented former Victorian Big Opal Rocks, now in the hands of astute local conditioner Mick Stringer, scored over the 599 metres in race by a monstrous margin to get his career back on the straight and narrow.

Stringer also secured wins with Do it And Manila Prince in back-to-back races to cap off a red letter night.