Hotel Whisky One Sets Hobart Thousand Pace

HOTEL Whisky One has roared into contention for the Group 1 Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand Final (461m) with a stunning 25.54 heat romp on Thursday night for trainer Anthony Azzopardi.

Azzopardi, whose best Hobart Thousand finish was a third placing with Excel Like Time 16 years ago, heads into the 2024 edition with two top chances vying for the $100,000 first prize.

Recent Goulburn Cup winner, Hotel Whisky One, delivered a slashing performance from box five in his heat, scoring a two-and-a-half-length victory over fellow Victorian Mile A Minute.

Landing his 16th win from 37 starts, the son of Whiskey Riot, which broke the track record winning the Goulburn Cup, is in to a fourth group final for connections.

“He's an exceptional dog, perfectly suited on these U-turn tracks,” Azzopardi said.

“To handle the track as well as he did with first look gives you a lot of confidence going into next week.”

Azzopardi also qualified Inconspicuous for the finale when the big striding galloper, a recent finalist in the Million Dollar Chase, surged along the rails from box seven to defeat local hopes Bernie Burrow and Gravitational in 25.60.

“Inconspicuous's performance was impressive, even though he was held up a few times. It takes him a while to gain momentum, but I was very satisfied with how he found the line,” Azzopardi said.

“If he were to draw an inside box next week, I believe he would truly give Hotel Whisky One and the rest of the field a run for their money.”

Victoria will be represented by five runners in the final, including Group 1 Brisbane Cup winner Flying Zulu, which secured the last heat in 25.65s for Jason Thompson, and Serial Sticker, which won in 25.84s for Brendan Pursell.

Also in this year's Hobart Thousand is local contender Ducati Roy which qualified last year also when finishing third.

He won the second heat ahead over Vincent Bale in a time of 25.71, securing trainer Mick Sherriff his second Group 1 finalist.

“No matter which box he starts from, Ducati Roy always finds a way to win,” Mick remarked.

“The dog has been steadily improving; I'm pleased with his performance in the runs leading up to the series.”

Debbie Cannan successfully prepared two heat winners, Aston Smokey, in 25.73, and Trefusis, running 25.74.

Bernie Burrow was the fastest second placegetter in 25.68 which gives him a berth in the race for Mick Stringer.

The box draw for the Group 1 Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand will be conducted at Ladbrokes Park Elwick on Saturday night, held in conjunction with the Tasmanian Greyhound Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

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Group 1 Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand Final field (not in box draw order)

Inconspicuous 
Ducati Roy 
Aston Smokey 
Hotel Whisky One 
Trefusis 
Serial Sticker 
Flying Zulu 
Bernie Burrow (fastest second placegetter 25.68)
Mile A Minute (1st Reserve)
Orli Bale (2nd Reserve)