Simon Told Helen Headlines Warragul Cup

CHAMPION sprinter Simon Told Helen will be shooting for a ninth group race title when he takes his place in Friday night's heats of the Group 2 Evans Petroleum Warragul Cup (460m).

Six heats of the $47,000-to-the-winner series have been programmed which brings together a galaxy of sprinting heavyweights, including chasers the calibre of Shima Shine, Tiggerlong Tonk and Catch The Thief.

Heat one sees Anthony Azzopardi's prolific winning sprinter Short Pork take his place from box four, facing off against last start Group 2 Laurels winner Aston Gwen and emerging youngster People Get Ready.

The second qualifier looms as a fantastic contest where Paua Of Oscar – track record holder over the Warragul 400 metres – tackles Bendigo and Ballarat Cup winner Yozo Bale, NSW star Ebby Infrared as well as powerhouse last start 25.52 Warragul winner Out Of Sprite.

Also set to go around in a stacked second heat are immensely talented juveniles Earn The Answers and Equalizer, the pair recent finalists in the Group 1 Silver Chief at The Meadows.

Heat three will see Group 1 Topgun hero Shima Shine return to racing up against Warrnambool Cup winner Zambora Smokey.

The absorbing clash is made all the better with the appearance of Aeroplane Eric for trainer Glenn Rounds, the son of Knocka Norris going into the series fresh off a near record 25.38 Warragul victory.

Multiple group winner Tiggerlong Tonk will go around all the rage for Correy Grenfell in heat four, the son of Dyna Double One stepping out for the second time since his gallant runner-up performance to Tommy Shelby in the Group 1 Hobart Thousand.

The fifth heat will see Simon Told Helen go around a short priced favourite for his Warragul debut, the David Burnett-trained superstar capping off his preparations for the group 2 series with a slick 29.71 win at The Meadows on Boxing Day.

Gippsland racing fans will have to wait until the final heat to get a glimpse of star local sprinter Catch The Thief, the Matt Clark-trained son of Aussie Infrared drawn ideally in box eight for his Warragul Cup heat bid.

Winner of the Group 3 Warragul St. Leger back in August running a sizzling 25.50, Catch The Thief goes into Friday night's heats in fantastic form, following a fast finishing second to Simon Told Helen at The Meadows on Boxing Day.