Peco Can Set For Hobart Thousand

LOCALS have a great chance of securing group 1 glory in this year's Sky Racing Hobart Thousand with the mainland numbers in 2018 dwindling for the $75,000 to-the-winner series.

 Little Spaniard was the last local greyhound to win the title for Mick Stringer way back in 2008.

 Superstar local Peco Can is among the Tassie hopes to bring the famous title back to the Apple Isle, with the Robin Grubb-trained bitch set to make her first group race appearance in Thursday night's heats.

By Fernando Bale, the brindle galloper will look to follow in the footsteps of her talented dam Sing The Song, who successfully made the 2013 Hobart Thousand Final won by Victorian superstar Paw Licking.

Peco Can remains in top form recently, winning her last four victories on end, taking out an invitation at Hobart last time out, when she defeated her rivals by 6 ¼ lengths in a smart 25.73 from box three.

Robin Grubb reports that he is pleased with Peco Can's preparations heading into Thursday.

"She (Peco Can) is going extremely well heading into Thursday and her preparation couldn't have been any better – this is what we had targeted earlier in the year for her and we are confident she will run up to her best," Grubb stated proudly.

Making her debut in April, Peco Can got the greyhound world talking spiral when the brindle bitch made that famous first-up appearance over Hobart's 461-metre trip, posting a near record time of 25.55, just outside Above All's track record of 25.52.

Peco Can's affinity with the Elwick Racecourse is perfection to say the least, winning nine from nine, including victories in the Tasmanian Breeders Classic and also Young Star Classic Final, while putting together stakes of $24,695.

The Grubb family's home-bred star has won 14 from 16 starts overall and $35,200 in prizemoney.

"Her mum Sing The Song loved Hobart as well but was more a strong finisher in her races where Peco really does it at both ends. Peco's last few trials show she is running well so that's our main objective while trying to keep her sound in the lead-up," said Robin.

Bet365 market sees Peco Can the $1.20 favourite to take out the third Thousand heat from box one.

"The field in her heat has some smart chasers and Wynburn Cutie should give us a chance at the start knowing she is slow beginner. Corykodi has raced here and showed talent though if Peco jumps well I hope she just gets a clear crack at it from the start," Grubb added.

The St. Leonards-based kennel will have two other runners throughout the six heats, with veteran chaser Hello Nugget set to face the starter for the 82^nd time, winning 26 races for Robin's mum Bev and dad Robert.

Hello Nugget, a son of Fabregas and Stylish Abbey, is a $7.50 chance to take out the first heat from box one. Local Queen is the $4.40 favourite from box four with 2016 "Thousand" finalist El Grand Amigo next best from box seven at $4.80 for trainer Patrick Ryan.

"Hello Nugget has just been an old marvel for our family and the way he is going at the moment, you'd be mad not to give him a chance in the heats," said Robin of Hello Nugget.

"I've got a healthy respect for Muppet (box three), the Pearce family have her going great guns at the moment, plus El Grand Amigo (box seven) is experienced on this track and his win last week showed he's back in form."

Peco Can's litter sister Hello Rhonda will take part in the fourth heat, starting from box seven.

An all-in market for the 81^st Hobart Thousand Final sees Group 3 Shootout winner Orson Allen the $3.00 favourite to take out the feature Thursday week (December 20), with Peco Can at $3.50 and Stop Line at $5.00. Leeroy Rogue surprisingly is at double figures of $10.