Jaw Dropping Trial Has Simon Set Maturity

SIMON Told Helen has solidified his standing as pre-post favourite for the Group 1 Maturity Classic with a jaw dropping post-to-post trial on Monday.

Adam Dobbin13 July 2020

SIMON Told Helen has solidified his standing as pre-post favourite for the Group 1 Maturity Classic (525m) with a jaw dropping post-to-post trial on Monday.

And his star brother Who Told Stevie wasn't far behind him, also setting personal best figures.

Having their final hit-out before Saturday night's group 1 heats at The Meadows, Simon Told Helen recorded a remarkable 24.50, believed to be a record, while Who Told Stevie ran right up to his best, posting 24.74.

"That's as good as I've ever seen one go … he's spot on for Saturday," said trainer David Burnett.

Ironically, the star duo both ran home in 11.91 while Simon Told Helen – renowned for his blistering early speed – set the tone early for his gob-smacking trial, carving out 12.59 early.

"I gave them a little break when they got back from Brisbane and wanted to see where they were at so I gave them a box-to-box at The Meadows last Thursday," Burnett explained.

"Simon Told Helen went 5.02 – 17.53 and Who Told Stevie went 5.05 – 17.63. Off that and today's slips I couldn't be happier with them going into Saturday providing they pull up sound."

Saturday night's heats of the Maturity Classic – sponsored for the first time in 2020 by KCR Pet Transport – are shaping up as cracking races.

Which is exactly what you expect when a cool $100,000 awaits Saturday week's series winner.

Included in the line-up will be Vic Peters hero Playlist along with his brother Catch The Thief, while hugely talented country cup winners Tiggerlong Tonk and Hard Style Rico will be on show also.

Another receiving strong early support is last Thursday's Group 2 McKenna Memorial winner Christo Bale while Jax Bale is at the pointy end of markets also.

"It's always a great series; there's some very good young dogs about at the moment," Burnett added.

"When Simon Told Helen won the Silver Chief he was bottom age and now for the Maturity he's top age which helps."

Winner at 17 of his 28 starts, Simon Told Helen will be striving for a fourth group 1 triumph in the Maturity Classic while Who Told Stevie will be searching for group 1 win number one.