Simon Told Helen is more than just a greyhound with a funny nose and interesting race name.
He is a secret from a wife, a reason to live and an out and out star on the racetrack who is lining up in his ninth group race in just 22 starts.
Trained in Little River by David Burnett, Simon Told Helen is owned by the Emma’s Boy Syndicate and headed by Brian Parsons.
The Emma’s Boy Syndicate was created following several serious health issues Parsons bravely overcame.
Geelong Surgeon Simon Crowley operated on Parsons throat cancer in 2002, and after the successful surgery, Parsons proposed they create a greyhound racing syndicate with his GP Mick Carroll.
A nod of the head and the rest his history.
Simon Told Helen was meant to be the grand finale for the Emma’s Boy Syndicate which saw the names of Who Told Lindylu (mother) and Who Told Stevie (brother).
But a victory in the Group 1 $150,000 Perth Cup and the Group 1 $100,000 Silver Chief, another crack at Group 1 glory on Thursday night and a beckoning career at stud, was enough to change the syndicate’s mind.
As Simon Told Helen’s name suggests, Simon Crowley told his wife Helen about his star greyhound. Well, Helen worked it out herself after they were invited to a fellow syndicate members wedding which forced Simon into confession.
Thursday night at Sandown Park, Simon Told Helen is the red-hot favourite from box three to take out his third Group 1 race – the Harrison-Dawson.
“He put the time on the board in his heat last week which is the biggest thing,” trainer David Burnett said.
“He is only 26 months old, we are excited to be competing in the Harrison-Dawson but we are looking forward to November (Melbourne Cup), because that is where he should be at his best.”
