In November, Hemsworth, a son of Black Magic Opal and El Brooklyn, made headlines with an impressive debut victory in Hobart (340m), the start of what has become an impressive winning sequence.

The blue-blood chaser will face the biggest test of his brief career when he exits the horror box 8 draw in the $40,000 group 2 race.

“Hemsworth is progressing nicely – he is definitely maturing into a classy chaser,” Stringer said.

“Going through the grades against his own age has sharpened his track sense.

“It was in the Rising Stars Series that he showed he can mix it in the big league and his win in the final really proved my judgement.”

A $3.10 chance from box 8 in his semi-final on Monday night, Hemsworth defeated Apollo Blue by a neck in 29.72.

“It is surprising how he improves in each run,” Stringer said.

“Most dogs that draw out wide tend to stay there but this bloke is a different character.

“He can always find the luck to cart across into a handy position and find the right momentum quickly.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some great dogs make their way through my kennels over the years and this bloke may not be the quickest, but he definitely knows how to get the job done.

“Win or lose, I know he will go further and has a bright future.”

Stringer has tasted success at group 1 level courtesy of Little Spaniard in the 2008 Hobart Thousand.

“Spaniard was a fantastic dog and that same year we had Topline Doovee in the Thousand final too,” the trainer recalled.

Stringer tasted Launceston Cup success in 1991 with Painted Hilux.

In what looms as a gripping final, the Anthony Bullock-trained Zulu Knocks is the opening favourite with Ubet following his 29.72 semi-final success, defeating Long View Belle by 3-¾ lengths.

The son of Zulu Zeus has won eight from 17 and is well drawn in box 2.

Hobart Thousand winner Rock Up Top is third favourite for the final just in case he gets a start but as second reserve that seems unlikely.

2.65 Zulu Kock’s; 3.00 Hemsworth; 5.00 Rock Up Top; 7.00 Del Rey; 8.00 Bobby Bound; 10.00 Chief Jetpilot, Fink Racer; 11.00 Hello Nugget; 12.00 Apollo Blue; 31.00 Long View Bell