Helen Stars In Temora MDC Heat Romp

SIMON Told Helen did nothing to diminish his standing as pre-post TAB Million Dollar Chase favourite with an electrifying run at Temora on Sunday night.

Looking every bit the four-time group 1 winner he is, Simon Told Helen powered over the 457 metres in 25.83, defeating gallant kennelmate Snag's McKenzie by 6 ¾ lengths.

The dazzling performance will see the 20-time winner start a short-priced favourite from box seven in Saturday's final, the son of Barcia Bale sure to be all the better for his debut hit-out at the Riverina circuit.

It was only late last Tuesday that David Burnett was given the go ahead to embark on the Temora regional series following the decision by GWIC to relax the COVID-19 border restrictions.

Burnett was forced to follow a less than conventional approach to get Simon Told Helen, Snag's McKenzie and Who Told Stevie to Temora, hiring a commercial transporter with border permits to shuttle the star trio to and from New South Wales.

And it will be the same approach to this Saturday night's finale when the three take their place in what promises to be an absorbing final where the placegetters progress to the MDC semi-finals at Wentworth Park on October 9.

Also set to take their placein Saturday's final is opening heat winner Keenando, the Shannon Ellis-trained son of Fernando Bale defeating local star Got To Casino and Who Told Stevie in 26.06.

Prior to Sunday's Temora win, Keenando had been racing in sensational fashion in Victoria for trainer Rob Camilleri, before returning to Ellis for a tilt at the $1 million to-the-winner series.

Ellis will be represented by two runners in Saturday's final after Maximum Refusal, a littermate to Keenando, finished fourth to Simon Told Helen in the second qualifier.

Saturday's Temora MDC Final Box Draw: 1 Got To Casino 2 Rivergum Road 3 Who Told Stevie 4 Keenando 5 Snags McKenzie 6 Alamo Joe 7 Simon Told Helen 8 Maximum Refusal 9 Double Active 10 Ultimate Speed.