Tommy Shelby Lands Elusive Group 1 Title

TOMMY Shelby has claimed the first of what promises to be many group 1 victories with a dashing win in Thursday night's Ladbrokes Hobart Thousand Final (461m).

Sent to the boxes as a red hot $1.70 favourite on the strength of last week's near record breaking heat win, Tommy Shelby, a son of Fernando Bale and Serena Fly High, always looked in control of Thursday night's $75,000-to-the-winner decider.

For trainer Steve Withers, the Hobart Thousand triumph unlocked a raft of emotions, the WA conditioner securing the first group 1 win of his training career.

"I'm just so proud of the dog … that's the overwhelming emotion," Withers said.

"From a personal viewpoint it's more of a relief. It's been a long time away from home but a great ride. But it's been bloody tough being away from home for so long as well, dealing with everything this crazy year has brought. I'm looking forward to getting home tonight."

On the strength of his rampaging heat win and after drawing suitably in box eight, betting suggested Thursday night's Hobart Thousand decider was Tommy Shelby's to lose.

And following an early speed battle with exciting local chaser Wynburn Sheean, Tommy Shelby sailed to the front off the top turn to set up a race winning lead in the Tasman flagship event to score in 25.55.

But as Withers explains, his star sprinter's preparation for the group 1 blockbuster was anything but ideal.

"It was a really tough week, I had to work on him 24/7," Withers said.

"He hit the catching pen gate in his heat win and was very sore up in the shoulder and a few other spots. I can't thank Debbie Cannan and Ted Medhurst enough for their help during the week. They were just amazing.

"He wasn't 100 percent last night and is pretty scratchy today. To still win just shows what a warrior he is. I'm just really proud of him. He just chases."

Finishing a courageous second in the final was the Correy Grenfell-trained Tiggerlong Tonk which made up many lengths in the run while local sprinter Sprint Gordon was gallant finishing third for Blake Pursell.

"Full credit to Tiggerlong Tonk – his run was huge," Withers said.

"He might not have won a group 1 yet but he's a group 1 dog in my eyes. His time will come, as we've found out. They don't give them away."

Tommy Shelby's Hobart Thousand triumph rounds out what has been a sensational 2020 with a deserved group 1 win now beside his name at his fourth time of trying.

A mighty second to Playlist in the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park in June, Tommy Shelby's other group 1 assignments resulted in a fourth in the Topgun to Shima Shine before finishing third to Hard Style Rico in last month's Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park.

And when you consider the "people's dog" also finished third to Handsome Prince in the TAB Million Dollar Chase and Wentworth Park in October, it's impossible to argue that the son of Fernando Bale didn't deserve Thursday night's breakthrough group 1 success.

"It's funny how things work out – this race was never on our radar," Withers said.

"After the Melbourne Cup we were either heading home or going to Sydney for the match race series and it was Kel Greenough that suggested we go to Hobart.

"We'll reset now for 2021 – the calendar is that congested we could well be on the road for 12 of the first 16 weeks of the year before the Perth Cup.

"But those races will be decided on how he is. For now he's earned the break and to finish off the year with a group 1 is amazing.

"They don't give them away – as we've found out!"