Poke The Bear produces remarkable Paws Of Thunder heat win
SEONA Thompson-trained superstar Poke The Bear enters this Saturday's Group 1 Paws Of Thunder (520m) as the short priced favourite after a thrilling heat win at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Poke The Bear is the $2.30 favourite at online bookmaker Sportsbet to win the 2019 Paws Of Thunder.
Former NSW chaser Miss Splendamiro – who jumps from box six – is at the $3.40 quote to win the Group 1 event, while Caitlyn Keeping (box four) and Cash Point (box three) are the only other runners in single figures ($6 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes).
The box draw for Saturday night's @ladbrokescomau Paws Of Thunder is out 🙌
Who will take out this one @WPGrey?#TheDogs 🐾 pic.twitter.com/09iyYFjYbb
— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) January 14, 2019
The method of victory belied just how good Poke The Bear was on Saturday night.
Jumping from box seven, the son of Fernando Bale rallied mid-race after a slow beginning to storm over the top of longtime leader Buck's Future in a slick 29.55.
To claim the Paws Of Thunder however, Poke The Bear will have to overcome a poor record box eight. The star chaser has just one win from five starts while wearing the pink rug.
Despite the poor record from the box, training duo Seona and Jason Thompson were pleased their star will jump from the eight.
“I didn't want him drawn in the middle because if he had missed the kick from the centre there would be a chance he could get knocked over by another dog,” Thompson said.
“But from box eight Poke The Bear will run in a straight line to the first corner so I am happy with his draw.”
The Group 1 Paws Of Thunder (520m) will be run at Wentworth Park at 8pm AEDT on January 19.
WATCH BELOW: Poke The Bear wins race 8 at Wentworth Park