Geall Eyes Consecutive Hobart Thousand Titles

TOP trainer David Geall will take aim at back-to-back victories in the Hobart Thousand (461m) on Thursday night.

The kennel will rug up recent NSW import Starline Express in Australia's oldest Group 1 event.

Geall's is chasing consecutive victories in Tasmania's only Group 1 race after veteran Fernando Mick claimed the 2022 Hobart Thousand at his 92nd start last year.

FIELDS AND FORM FOR HOBART THURSDAY NIGHT

Starline Express, a son of champion sire Fernando Bale, as is Fernando Mick and Geall's 2021 Thousand placegetter Ferdinand Boy, produced by far his best effort in four starts for the champion Lara trainer in last Thursday's heats.

After finishing sixth in a prelude and last in a heat of the Melbourne Cup at his previous two starts, Starline Express was a 25.78 second winner on debut at Hobart, the brilliant frontrunner's 12th win from 28 starts.

"He had a couple of issues and did take a little while to settle in," Geall said.

"We ran out of time to trial him at Hobart, but I did like his run last week.

The visitors are on top as Starline Express takes Heat 4 of the @ladbrokescomau Hobart Thousand.

Heat winners so far: Law Raine (25.77), Rojo Diamond (25.58), Crackerjack Bull (26.01), Starline Express (25.78).

Two heats to come. pic.twitter.com/oTDrZBIIx6

— Tasracing Australia (@TasracingAus) December 7, 2023

"He only jumped fair, but he used that really good turn of foot.

"He's due to get out like a rocket, so hopefully he can do it on Thursday night."

Victorian-trained sprinters won four of the six Hobart Thousand heats.

Also successful were Got Attitude (25.65), trained by dual Hobart Thousand winner Jason Thompson, Tom Dailly's Shima Shadow (25.72), and Crackerjack Bull (26.01), prepared by Jordan Cooper.

Crackerjack Aret, Crackerjack Boom's litter and kennel mate, also advanced after finishing runner-up to fastest qualifier Rojo Diamond (25.58).

After drawing box two for Thursday night's $100,000 to-the-winner decider Starline Express is $7 in Sportsbet's market, with fellow Vic Got Attitude $3.20 favourite in box one.

Starline Express is chasing his first Group trophy at his second appearance at Group 1 level; he was runner-up in the National Derby at Wentworth Park in January, also ran second in the Group 3 Grafton Cup and was a finalist in the Group 2 Queensland Derby and Group 3 Launching Pad.

"The draw hasn't been favourable to us," Geall said.

"I see he's never won off the inside, from box one (2 starts) or two (3 starts), which is a bit surprising for a dog that's known for his early speed.

"His owners seem to think he needed to draw six, seven or eight. He likes to come across other dogs, rather than push underneath them.

"I still give him a good chance. I'm expecting he can lead and then it depends how close Crackerjack Boom, and Crackerjack Aret for that matter, are, because they're very strong. We probably need to find another three lengths."