Champion Sprinter Temora Bound For MDC

CHAMPION sprinter Simon Told Helen has been drawn to contest Sunday's Temora regional qualifiers of the TAB Million Dollar Chase.

And in a boon for racing in the Riverina, the four-time group 1 winner will be joined in the series by litter-brother Who Told Stevie and accomplished kennelmate Snag's McKenzie.

SUNDAY'S TEMORA FIELDS & FORM

Late Tuesday, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC) relaxed their stance on the acceptance of nominations from interstate trainers, paving the way for Victorian trainer David Burnett's three-pronged attack on Temora this Sunday.

"Myself and the owners have been exploring a number of options but with things changing so fluidly it's been hard to make any definitive decisions," Burnett said.

"But it's great to now have a bit of clarity and I'm looking forward to getting the dogs to Temora Sunday – by all reports it's a fantastic track."

With COVID-19 restrictions playing havoc with the machinations of interstate trainers plotting their Million Dollar Chase course, it was feared some of the country's best sprinters would be lost to the $1 million to-the-winner series as a result.

But Tuesday's easing of restrictions means interstate trainers can nominate for the Million Dollar Chase and associated events on the condition they declare a person responsible for the greyhound(s) while campaigning in New South Wales.

The rules also dictate that interstate trainers wishing to reside in New South Wales for the duration of the series can only do so if they hold a NSW government issued "Border Entry Permit" authorising them to enter and remain in NSW.

"That was the system they put in place when we headed to Queensland for the Brisbane Cup," Burnett said.

"It's disappointing that I can't be at Temora on Sunday but to be able to play a part in the series is the most important thing."

Simon Told Helen heads to Temora this Sunday off an indifferent last start performance at The Meadows when racing below his brilliant best as an odds-on favourite.

"If you go through and look at his runs you'll see the few times he hasn't performed has been on real wet tracks like it was the other night at The Meadows," Burnett said.

"I'm starting to think he just doesn't like it (wet).

"I trialled him after the last at Ballarat on Monday night over the 390m and he went 21.65 … the record is 21.63 – so he's on song for Sunday. I've had all three dogs checked over and they are right to go.

"And old Snag's McKenzie is going good too. He hasn't raced since June but went 21.96 on Monday at Ballarat so he's booked his spot to go as well."

As is the case with all 15 regional qualifying series, the placegetters from Saturday week's Temora final will progress through to the MDC semi-finals at Wentworth Park on October 9.