Some of the Geelong’s most talented greyhounds will go head-to-head on Friday night in heats of the Group 2 Beckley Centre Geelong Gold Cup.
Headlined by Simon Told Helen who is back in Victoria after his Million Dollar Chase campaign.
Simon Told Helen breezed through the Temora regional Million Dollar Chase heats and final at the start of September but was unable to qualify when finishing fourth on Friday night at Wentworth Park – a shock to punters who had him one of the favourites.
“He didn’t handle the boxes at Wentworth Park, and he lost momentum after a bump heading into the first turn,” David Burnett said.
“I know the dogs is 100 percent sound but just needs a bit of clear running. To do what he has done in 36 career starts (21 wins, four of which Group 1’s) is incredible.”
Simon Told Helen, who is owned by a group of Geelong doctors and one of their patients, is jumping from box three in the eighth event on Friday night’s card (9.34pm).
“I am happy with box three because he generally handles all boxes if he comes out,” Burnett said.
“Lucy’s Milo loves box one and he is a strong dog which is a worry for Simon Told Helen who will need to be more than two or three lengths in front.”
Simon Told Helen also received an invitation to the Group 1 Topgun, Burnett indicated that the Topgun is a target but will only compete if the dog is 100 percent. The invitational Topgun will be run on 7 November at The Meadows.
The Geelong Greyhound Racing Club is the only dual TAB greyhound track in Victoria, with both an inside and outside track. The 2020 Geelong Gold Cup will be run on the inside track over the 520m for the first time in the club’s history.
“I usually do my trialing on the outside track so I would say he has had less experience on the track than some other dogs in his heat.”
Shima Shine for Andrea Dailly is also a star attraction jumping from box one in the sixth race on the card (8.42pm).
Shima Shine also targeted the Million Dollar Chase in NSW but was unable to qualify in the semi finals after dominating in the regional heats and final at Wagga.
Tiggerlong Tonk is another local greyhound to keep an eye on for young trainer Correy Grenfell.
Tiggerlong Tonk will jump from box eight in race five (8.23pm), heading into the heats having won three of his past four starts.
