Simon Sydney Bound For Paws Of Thunder

SPRINTING heavyweight Simon Told Helen will be in Sydney on Saturday night for the heats of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder (520m).

The four-time group 1 winner was bundled out of the Warragul Cup series on Friday night which resulted in connections deciding to turn their attention to the Wentworth Park showpiece this weekend.

“The owners and myself had a meeting on Sunday night and decided that we'd go to Sydney for the Paws Of Thunder,” Burnett said.

“Nothing went right at Warragul but the dog has come out of the run in great order so there's no reason not to press ahead to Sydney. It was always there as an option if things didn't pan out at Warragul.”

Winner of eight group races during his remarkable career, including four at group 1 level, Simon Told Helen's three most recent group 1 assignments have resulted in runner-up finishes in the Melbourne Cup, Dapto Megastar and Topgun.

On Boxing Day, the reigning Australian Greyhound of the Year confirmed he was at the top of his game with a slick 29.71 victory at The Meadows, carving out sections of 4.99 and 17.40 en route to his 26th career win.

The appearance of Simon Told Helen in Saturday night's Paws Of Thunder heats adds some much needed star power with a host of top flight interstate greyhounds expected to miss the series due to other commitments or  coronavirus enforced border closures.

Saturday night will be Simon Told Helen's third start at Wentworth Park.

In January last year, Simon Told Helen finished second to Hard Style Rico in a heat of the Group 1 National Derby before being scratched from the final due to a spider bite when favourite.

The son of Barcia Bale's only other Wentworth Park appearance resulted in a fourth behind Awesome Catch in a semi-final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase (520m) in October.

“It would be fantastic to secure a group 1 in Sydney,” Burnett said.

“The dog is absolutely going as good as ever and hopefully things fall into place and we see that on Saturday night.”

Pre-post favourite for the Paws Of Thunder is Wow for trainer Karina Britton.

The last start Gosford Cup winner rounded out his preparations for the series with a dazzling 23.68 post-to-post trial at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.