Sandown Park Thursday Night Preview

HE's the megastar of the Australasian sprinting ranks.

And tonight at Sandown Park, Simon Told Helen headlines a quality card of racing as the three-time group 1 winner rounds out his preparations for a more than likely tilt at next week's Group 1 Brisbane Cup heats.

Winner at 16 of his 25 starts and over $500,000 in prizemoney for trainer David Burnett, the son of Barcia Bale's racetrack heroics has created some stern debate, with serious comparisons being made to champion Fernando Bale.

Blessed with searing early speed and an uncompromising will to win, Simon Told Helen exits box two tonight in race eight on the program, installed by TAB as a near unbackable $1.30 favourite.

Interestingly, his closest rival in betting is his hugely talented litter brother Who Told Stevie, drawn awkwardly in box five for his first start at Sandown since last November.

While Simon Told Helen has been sweeping all before him in recent months, Who Told Stevie has been working his way back from serious injury, his most recent appearance a close up third to superstars Zambora Smokey and Shima Shine at Shepparton last week.

And while the family clash of Simon Told Helen and Who Told Stevie in race eight is the highlight of the night, the appearance of Full Flight in race one will create plenty of interest also.

On Sunday, the well-bred sprinter returned to the track for the first time since November, recording a remarkable 29.29 to score his maiden by 10 ¼ lengths.

And as is usually the case at Sandown on a Thursday night, Jeff Britton and Angela Langton are poised to play a strong hand, boasting eleven runners on the program.

Runner by runner preview

Race 2 (1) Well Grounded – Matt Lanigan

"He's been very consistent. He's well boxed, and if he doesn't win I reckon he'll run a place."

Race 3 (8) Enter The Sun – Jeff Britton

"He probably hasn't got enough pace to get around them. He has a lot of ability but will be looking for a bit of luck."

Race 4 (7) Mepunga Royal – Jeff Britton

"He got out well the other day and surprised me a bit, but from box 7 will be running for luck."

Race 6 (2) Road To Success – Angela Langton

"He's where he wants to be, just got to hope he gets out well and gets around the first corner."

Race 6 (3) Keeper Of Keys – Angela Langton

"He'll be coming from behind I'd say but he can do that. I think Keeper Of Keys is the better dog, but Road To Success has better habits."

Race 7 (4) Security Code – Angela Langton

"He's going through a bit of a bad patch. He'll have to get out pretty well, but he's had two weeks off and I'm hoping he'll run well fresh."

Race 7 (8) Mepunga Pegasus

"He always puts in a brilliant run, I'd always be putting him in the trifectas."

Race 8 (3) Wallbanger – Angela Langton

"The class will probably show him up. He's racing well but he might be a few lengths behind them."

Race 8 (7) Yindi Girl Turbo – Matt Lanigan

"She's outclassed but has been going well. She'll be relying on a bit of trouble inside to win the race but is going well."

Race 11 (1) Mepunga Felix – Jeff Britton

"He's well boxed but is a bit of a duffer. I'm just hoping he gets out well, he has shown he can miss it a couple of lengths and make it hard for himself but I think he's well boxed to win the race."

Race 11 (2) Corazon De Leon – Matt Lanigan

"He wants the fence pretty hard, I've just got to hope they don't hit each other. He's racing well."

Best – Mepunga Felix (race 11, number 1)