Star Duo Just What The Doctor Ordered

TRAINER Dave Burnett knew right from the get go he had something exceptional on his hands in Who Told Stevie and Simon Told Helen.

The names a mouthful I know, but on the strength of their recent early performances, racegoers can expect to hear a lot more of the talented litter-brothers in the weeks and months ahead.

"They were going that quick when they were 16 months old I packed my bags and went to Bali for three weeks so I couldn't work or race them," laughed Burnett on Monday.

Whelped in late January 2018, Who Told Stevie and Simon Told Helen are sons of the irrepressible late Barcia Bale out of Who Told Lindylu, the dam a daughter of former smart racer Who Told Helen.

"Steve Bull broke them in at Snake Valley – the reports were good but I hadn't had dogs broken-in there before so it was hard to get a guide on the times," explained Burnett.

"A month after they came home I gave them a trial at Mannings and the two dogs went 19.02 and 19.08 … they ran that time off no work at all so I knew I had something pretty handy.

"One morning at Geelong I trialled them over the 400m and Who Told Stevie went 22.28 and Simon Told Helen went 22.41 … I'd won the free for all the night before there in 22.59. They were doing this as raw pups. Every time I'd freshen them up and go again they'd find another length."

For Burnett, who guided Kiss Me Ketut to group 1 glory in the 2013 Brisbane Cup at Albion Park, he admits it's hard not to draw comparisons to his former grand chaser at the same stage.

"The slip times these two are now running at Sandown and The Meadows at 20 months are times Kiss Me Ketut was running when he was at his peak at 2 1/2 – 3," informed Burnett.

"I've been trying to fault the two of them but I can't. They do everything right at home and at the track … if anything maybe the first stride or two from the boxes. But that's it. They travel great, nothing worries them."

After burning up the tracks in trials, Burnett unearthed Simon Told Helen earlier this month in the GRV Vic Breeders Maiden series at Warrnambool, landing his heat and final with an aggregate winning margin of 20 lengths, running a blinding 24.98 in the decider.

Last Thursday at Sandown, Simon Told Helen made it three wins from four career starts with a slashing 29.45 Sandown Park success.

"I liked what I saw from him last Thursday getting across like he did, it was a good learning curve," added Burnett.

"The week before he ran 5.03 early there and got led finishing second, when does that happen? But it's all good experience for him."

24 hours on from Simon Told Helen's Sandown Park success, Who Told Stevie was an emphatic 25.61 Geelong victor on Friday night, his second career win after landing his maiden at The Meadows earlier this month in a fast 29.93.

"I'm in two minds where I head with them right now but the Geelong Derby is one option this week and then there's the Great Chase series coming up as well," said Burnett.

"Races like the Queensland Derby, Silver Chief and National Derby are all possible options down the track also."

While Simon Told Helen and Who Told Stevie are without doubt the stars of the show, Burnett has also tasted early success with two bitches in the litter, with Miss City Girl and Mystic Moon each making winning starts to their careers.

"The bitches are handy but they are a long way off what the two dogs are showing," Burnett added.

And while Burnett is over the moon with the progression of the up and coming pair, his excitement doesn't hold a candle to the joy being experienced by 76 year old Brian Parsons who not only bred the litter, but also heads up the Emma's Boys syndicate which races the star youngsters.

"Brian asked me if I could rear the litter for him but at the time I was busy renovating the house and doing some things," reflected Burnett.

"I told him he could rear them here and use the property if he wanted to and he did. I never charged him so getting these pups to train is some good karma I think. Brian just loves the dogs … wherever they are, he is."

Way back in 2002, Parsons was diagnosed with cancer, which was successfully removed through surgery performed by Dr. Simon Crowley, now part of the Emma's Boys syndicate.

"After the surgery Simon told me he'd got it (cancer) all and I said ‘great what do you think about racing a dog with me'," Parsons explained.

"When Simon came on board I then got my GP Michael Carroll to take the rest … my late wife Margaret was in the syndicate also, as well as Paul Douglas and John O'Toole.

"I've been waiting 20 years for dogs like this … it's a great thrill, we're over the moon."