Simon Gives Track Record A Nudge In Megastar Heats

Victorian trainer David Burnett had previously only ever visited Dapto to sell pups at the club’s auction. His dog Simon Told Helen had never even looked at the track. But both were in town on Thursday, and after a stunning performance, they will be back Again next week, this time as the hot favourite to win the Group 1 Sportsbet Megastar Final.

The Australian Greyhound Of The Year, coming off a gallant second placing in the Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park six nights earlier, was brilliance on four legs, running an amazing 29.37s to win his heat, figures just 0.03s outside the track record of Fantastic Dotty set back in 2015.

“That early pace just makes a difference with him, and he loves tight tracks and tight corners and to run those sectionals (5.23s and 16.75s) is just super, and hopefully he can go a bit better next week. It would be nice to get that record, he’s due to get one and it would be terrific to get that record.

“I have brought many pups to sell here to Dapto, but never raced here, this is the first time racing. I know it’s a big concern on that first turn, I’ve seen a lot of races here and know that you’re supposed to have a look (trial before racing), but Again, he led into the corner which is what he needed to do.

“I was really pleased when the lids lifted and they (his rivals drawn alongside) went left and right and gave him room and as soon as he gets room, he will just motor and do what he normally does, and that’s a terrific back section of 16.75s which breaks their hearts.”

Asked if he can improve the half-length needed to nudge the track record, Burnett said: ”I don’t know where. Again, it would be nice to see if he can finish it off a little bit better, but they are his sections, he’s not going to go any quicker earlier.”

The placegetters behind Simon Told Helen both ran great races, and in fact were the second and third fastest into the final, Winlock On Top running 29.51s and Cumbria Belle 29.76s.

And after coming up with the one box for the final, it would be a very brave punter to be Against the Victorian, although he will jump alongside the NSW hero Flying Ricciardo.

Flying Ricciardo also won his heat but the time of 29.96s was much slower than Simon Told Helen, and significantly slower than the time he posted in a solo trial last week, 29.47s.

In fairness, after leading from the jump Flying Ricciardo was pressured all the way by SERIOUS Object before breaking free on the turn out of the back and scoring a comfortable win.

“It’s my first Group 1 final so I am pretty excited,” said trainer Kristy Sultana. “He did everything right, the time I was a little bit worried about, but he did everything right.

“He jumps every week and he jumped Again tonight but he had a lot of speed on the outside of him the five (SERIOUS Object) and he just pressured him all the way, so he did well to hold him out.”

Runner-up was the NSW Sprint Champion Ritza Coen who produced a great run to snatch second place from youngster SERIOUS Object, and in doing so secured a berth in the final. He drew box four in the final.

The other heat was taken out by the Peter Lagogiane-trained Shetland, who stormed to the lead up the back and raced away to clock 29.77s.

Having narrowly missed a spot in the Million Dollar Chase grand final, finishing second in his semi-final behind Tommy Shelby, Shetland then won the Consolation of the event, and now has a crack at Group 1 glory in the Megastar Final.

“It was a pretty good win,” Lagogiane said. “The four (Winlock Shifty) crossed him and he showed some determination and guts to go on the outside of him and keep coming home.”

Asked about the dog’s persistent leg problems Lagogiane said: “He was scratched at 9am this morning. Look it is what it is, it’s day by day with him but what a mighty performance it was. He’ll be on three legs Again in the morning but we know how to get over it now.”

Shetland came up with box 8 for the final, while runner-up Ebby Infrared drew box three and third placegetter All Star Punk came up with the six box.