Paws of Thunder
The Paws of Thunder, originally known as the NSW St. Ledger, is one of the most revered races in in the state, having been run for the first time in 1957 when taken out by Idle Sign.
The event, run over 520m, is held at Wentworth Park, and has been run as a Group 1 feature since 2001, the same year in which it was renamed as the Paws of Thunder.
The Paws of Thunder has a winner’s cheque of $75,000, making it one of the largest payouts at Wentworth Park each year behind the $250,000-to-the-winner Golden Easter Egg.
For many years, the Paws of Thunder was conducted in October, with the date changing after the 2011 running. The race was not run in 2012, but recommenced in January 2013 and has been run in that month since, spearheading some sensational racing in the Harbour City during the summer months.
The race is open to the best 64 greyhounds each year.
The most recent edition of the Paws of Thunder was run on January 21, 2017, and was won by Victorian greyhound Shima Bar, trained by Andrea Dailly, which defeated Clock’s Ticking in 29.92.
Paws of Thunder field 2022
| 1. WICKED FLASHT: Peter Ray | 1251 | 29.80 | |
| 2. DO ITT: Jeffrey Britton | 1231 | 29.59 | |
| 3. IRINKA RILEYT: Raymond Smith | 2231 | 29.66 | |
| 4. JUNGLE DEUCET: Raymond Smith | 1111 | 29.31 | |
| 5. WOWT: Danielle Matic | 2131 | 29.38 | |
| 6. BANDIT NEDT: Jodie Lord | 8431 | 29.47 | |
| 7. WHERE’S ROCKYT: Jason Magri | 4121 | 29.87 | |
| 8. CHASE ME HONEYT: Michael Hardman | 4421 | 29.66 | |
| 9. FERNANDO HUNTERT: Darryl Thomas | 5512 | 29.60 | |
| 10. QWARA BALET: Brendan Wheeler | 2662 | 29.88 |
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Paws of Thunder Bookies
Betting on the Paws of Thunder
Being one of the flagship races in NSW, betting activity is normally very high for the Paws of Thunder series. As it is a Group 1, all online bookmakers offer betting on the feature, with most having markets open the week leading up to the final after the box draw has been finalised.
Bookies such as Bet 365 also have all-in markets throughout the series, offering odds on each greyhound to win the final as soon as the draw for the heats is released. This is terrific for punters who think they have spotted the potential winner early, with generous odds usually available for some of the series’ leading contenders.
When betting on greyhound races such as the Paws of Thunder, particularly through the all-in markets, it is often viable to place wagers on several greyhounds due to the fact that great odds are normally there for most chasers in the series.
This is an excellent opportunity for punters to seize the value on offer with the sign-up deals through Australian Racing Greyhound’s top bookmakers, all of which will match your initial deposit in bonus bets, effectively doubling your money.
Group 1 Paws of Thunder – the recent years
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Jungle Deuce defeated a stellar field to win the 2022 Paws Of Thunder final on January 22 for Forbes trainer Raymond Smith. Jungle Deuce was perfectly placed heading into the straight, with the $5.50 shot eventually beating $2.80 favourite Wow. Chase Me Honey finished third as the only bitch in the field, defying her $18 price with Sportsbet. Full 2022 Paws Of Thunder recap.
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Winlock On Top proved too strong in the 2021 Paws of Thunder final for Jodie Lord, winning in a time of 29.90. Winlock On Top, which jumped from the pink, bet home Zulu Warlord (30.60) and Fire Legend (30.30 ). The result was a huge upset with the winner paying $26 with some betting sites, while Zulu Warlord was also not fancied by punters.
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Top NSW trainer Jason Magri won his first Group 1 race when King Cratos beat fan fancy Feral Franky. Jumping from box eight, King Cratos positioned himself just behind leader Caishen. At the top of the turn, King Cratos then moved alongside the leader, before finishing in 29.64 which was his best time at Wentworth Park. Just months before this Paws of Thunder win, Magri feared King Cratos would never race again, after suffering a bad tear to his hip muscle.
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All the pre-race buzz leading into the 2019 Paws of Thunder was about Poke The Bear, but when the champ missed the jump fast beginner Buck’s Future had the race at his mercy. Buck’s Future speared out from box seven to claim an early lead and was never headed after a fall behind the leader. Cash Point was storming home as they entered the straight but Buck’s Future had enough of a lead to secure the win.
2019 Paws of Thunder results
January 19, 2019. 19/1/2019 Wentworth Park First Prize:$75,000
Winner: Buck’s Future (Buck Fever x Midnight News) Black Dog DOB:16 May 2016
Owner: Robert Jones Trainer: Sydney Swain
Finishing Time: 29.80
Others in Finishing Order: Cash Point, Miss Splendamiro, Poke The Bear, All On Amy, Nangar Jack, Federal Lilly, Caitlyn Keeping. -
Raw Ability collected his second group 1 win when saluting in the most recent edition of the Paws of Thunder. Trained in Victoria by Anthony Azzopardi, the black dog matched motors with Up Hill Jill in the early stages before slipping into top gear and racing clear to defeat fast-finishing Queenslander Slick in 29.86.
2018 Paws of Thunder results
January 20, 2018. 20/1/2018 Wentworth Park First Prize:$75,000
Winner: Raw Ability (Barcia Bale X Bugatti Flyer) Black Dog DOB:7 Mar 2015
Owner: Kylee Osborne Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi
Finishing Time: 29.86
Others in Finishing Order: Slick, Up Hill Jill, Ritza Lenny, Dual Keroma, Bogan Doonie, It’s A Party, Trip To Eden. -
Shima Bar stamped himself as a pup to follow with a tough win in the 2017 Paws of Thunder final. Trained by Andrea Dailly, the black dog used box one to perfection, charging clear in the home straight to record his ninth career win at start 13.
2017 Paws of Thunder results
January 21, 2017. Wentworth Park NSW GBOTA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Shima Bar (Barcia Bale x Shimaguni) Black Dog. DOB: Feb 2015
Owners: Cummings Gleeson, Trainer: Andrea Dailly.
Finishing Time: 29.92. Margins: 1.75 x 3.25.
Others in finishing order: Clocks Ticking, Falcons Fury, Brad Hill Billy, Striker Light, Blabba Mouth, Lowanna’s Son, Magic Lace. -
Most of the hype in the 2016 Paws of Thunder final surrounded boom sprinter Zambora Brockie, but when the lids flew open it was his lesser known kennel mate Asa Flying Spur which stole the show. The handy sprinter began brilliantly, racing straight to the front and leading all the way to salute in a quick 29.83.
2016 Paws of Thunder results
January 16, 2016. Wentworth Park GBOTA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Asa Flying Spur (Kinloch Brae x Cawbourne Shine) Born: Jan 2014 Black Dog
Owner: Asa. Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi.
Time: 29.83. Margins: 1.25 x 1.25.
Others in finishing order: Elfen Bale, Smart Missile, Nangar Flame, Helga Bale, Zambora Brockie, Tap Out Rose, Paloma Lago.