Young megastar Hooked On Scotch turns two years old today. But celebrations for the ‘birthday boy’ commenced last night in Tasmania when he won the Group 1 Hobart Thousand (461m).

Trained by Jason Thompson, Hooked On Scotch snared his fifth group race win with a stunning 25.49sec display – less than one length outside the 25.44sec track record held by Stanley Gordon.

It’s incredible to think that in only 18 starts, Hooked On Scotch has now added the G1 Hobart Thousand to a phenomenal CV that also includes the G1 Adelaide Cup, G2 Geelong Gold Cup, G3 Shootout and G3 Speed Star. He was also third in the G1 Melbourne Cup and holds Sandown’s 515-metre track record (28.94sec).

An ecstatic Michael Puleio – who owns and bred Hooked On Scotch with his son, Darren – said their champion is taking them on the ride of a lifetime.

But he’s equally touched by the huge impact Hooked On Scotch is making on the younger generation.

“He’s a people’s dog… I’ve never seen so many youngsters rapt in a greyhound; they all want a photo with him,” Puleio said.

Puleio added that Darren always dreamed of owning and breeding a stud dog, and now he’s got one.

“We’re over the moon, it has put us on the map breeding wise,” he said.

Hooked on Scotch, who has only been unplaced once, registered his 11^th win. The $75,000 first prize spiralled his stakes to $346,085.

*Photo: TasRacing