Paul Wheeler Simply The Best

Paws of Thunder greyhound betting

The Paul Wheeler Simply The Best, formerly known as the Paws of Thunder, is a prestigious Group 1 greyhound race held annually at Wentworth Park in Sydney.

Renamed in honour of legendary breeder Paul Wheeler, whose bloodlines shaped the sport, the event celebrates his enduring legacy.

Contested over 520 metres, the race features thrilling heats and a high-stakes final, attracting the nation’s top sprinters.

With its rich history and significance, this race remains a highlight on the greyhound racing calendar, offering fans and bettors alike an electrifying showcase of speed and talent.

The 2024 edition was won by Blue Kermaro for Josh Formosa.


2025 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best greyhound details


Paul Wheeler Simply The Best news and tips

Blue Kermaro wins Paul Wheeler Simply The Best
Blue Kermaro, Million Dollar Chase winner, retires from greyhound racing after a career-ending injury during the Golden Ticket Series. Read ...
Blue Kermaro wins Paul Wheeler Simply The Best
Blue Kermaro delivered a sensational 29.40 run to win the inaugural Paul Wheeler Final at Wentworth Park, securing the $75K ...
Saturday's Greyhound Racing Tips
Get expert greyhound betting tips for Saturday, December 21, 2024, covering The Phoenix, Paul Wheeler previews, and Australia’s biggest races ...
Wentworth Park tips
Wentworth Park will host the Paul Wheeler Simply The Best night on December 21, 2024. See the top greyhound preview ...
Paul Wheeler Simply The Best greyhound tips
The Group 1 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best final is set for Saturday, December 21 at Wentworth Park. See the ...
Blue Kermaro Paul Wheeler Heat 4
Paul Wheeler Simply The Best heats produce standout performances as Blue Kermaro leads the way. Paul Wheeler's final box draw ...
Saturday's Greyhound Racing Tips
Australia's top greyhound racing previews for December 14, featuring expert betting advice and predictions for The Meadows, Wentworth Park, and ...
Wentworth Park tips
Wentworth Park will host a 10-race card on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The Paul Wheeler Simply The Best heats as ...

ALL Paul Wheeler Simply The Best news & tips


Paul Wheeler Simply The Best Odds

There are currently no odds for the 2025 running of the Paul Wheeler Simply The Best.


Paul Wheeler Simply The Best field 2025

The final field will be released after the heats have been run.


United States Paws of Thunder Bookies

Paws of Thunder Bookies


Betting on the Paul Wheeler Simply The Best





Being one of the flagship races in NSW, betting activity is normally very high for the Paul Wheeler Simply The Best 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 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best, 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 Australian Racing Greyhound’s top bookmakers.


Paul Wheeler Simply The Best (Paws Of Thunder) history & background

The Paul Wheeler Simply The Best, originally known as the NSW St. Ledger and more recently called Paws Of Thunder, 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, which then was changed in July 2024 to Paul Wheeler Simply The Best in honour of Paul Wheeler a NSW owner and breeder who significantly influenced NSW greyhound racing’s growth and professionalisation. 



The Paul Wheeler Simply The Best 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 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best 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 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best was won by Blue Kermaro, trained by Josua Formosa.

Group 1 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best – the recent years


Group 1 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best – honour roll

Year Winner Trainer Distance Boxes Margin Time (s) Runner-up Group
1957 Idle Sign E. Conroy 580y ? ? 32.10sec ? Feat
1958 Ebony Minda L. Smith 580y ? ? 31.90sec ? Feat
1959 Super Samson J. Wright 580y ? ? 32.10sec ? Feat
1960 Constant Raider B. Mercer 580y ? ? 31.90sec ? Feat
1961 Elsie Moss A. Connelly 580y ? ? 31.50sec ? Feat
1962 Black Top F. Holmes 580y ? ? 31.30sec ? Feat
1963 Miss Warcroft T. O’Brien 580y ? ? 31.60sec ? Feat
1964 Revival King R. Taaffe 580y ? ? 31.70sec ? Feat
1965 Daily Tide C. McBurney 580y ? ? 31.60sec ? Feat
1966 Sunset Fire H. Conroy 580y ? ? 31.40sec ? Feat
1967 Another Glitter L. Harper 580y ? ? 31.10sec ? Feat
1968 Zoom Top H. Watt 580y ? ? 31.40sec ? Feat
1969 Beau Brin W. Harper 580y ? ? 31.20sec ? Feat
1970 Size Seven R. Thompson 580y ? ? 31.30sec ? Feat
1971 Romantic Top B. Lawry 580y ? ? 31.10sec ? Feat
1972 Likely Light J. Wright 580y ? ? 31.10sec ? Feat
1973 Trella Light W. Fletcher 530m 2,3,4 5L 30.93sec Julie’s Shoe Feat
1974 Busy’s Chief L. Watt 530m 7,1,4 6L 30.82sec Arkaroola Feat
1975 Mighty Aussie M. Stefan 530m 3,2,4 7L 31.22sec Camden Gold Feat
1976 Palaver S. Muston 530m 6,8,4 2L 31.22sec Call Me Hobbs Feat
1977 Fire Arama D. Murphy 530m 8,1,3 1-1/2L 30.74sec Monkey Jill Feat
1978 Oberon Lily K. Fletcher 530m 3,2,8 3/4L 31.12sec Tegimi Feat
1979 Lord Raleigh P. Turret 530m 8,5,4 1/4L 31.09sec Taciturn Feat
1980 Glider’s Son J. Macdonald 530m 4,1,8 1-1/2L 31.13sec Country League Feat
1981 Promises Free A. Pringle 530m 3,5,2 5L 30.82sec Admiral Lynch Feat
1982 Winifred Bale A. Wheeler 530m 1,8,7 2L 31.06sec All Spice Feat
1983 Winston Lass D. Thomas 530m 1,7,5 3L 31.06sec Star Prediction Feat
1984 Beach Rhythm P. Cauchi 530m 6,1,8 2L 31.04sec Deano Bell Feat
1985 Another Flash B. Tame 530m N/A N/A 31.21sec N/A Feat
1986 Memories Gate K. Johns 457m 1,8,7 1L 26.34sec Tom’s Two Feat
1987 See Yah L. Barnett 520m 2,7,5 1-3/4L 30.27sec Aussie Venture Feat
1988 Grizzly Bear B. Buckley 520m 2,7,8 3L 30.54sec Snow Legend Feat
1989 Jessica Kate F. McFadyen 520m 7,4,6 2-1/2L 30.57sec Master Hilo Feat
1990 Dixie Lass K. Howe 520m 5,9,1 1/4L 30.68sec Centrefold Pet Feat
1991 Little Denver J. Johnston 520m 4,8,1 1-1/2L 30.17sec Tallest Peer Feat
1992 Iago R. Britton 520m 7,1,3 1-1/4L 30.67sec Deanne’s Dancer G1
1993 Leon Mal D. McMillan 520m 8,4,5 4L 30.98sec Rocking Romero G2
1994 Zazziam K. Taberner 520m 1,8,3 3L 30.55sec Wary Andy G2
1995 Nine Inch Nails R. King 520m 6,5,4 3-1/2L 30.88sec Major Smoky G2
1996 Tamborine Dancer P. Chaker 520m 4,7,6 1L 31.28sec Tried And True G2
1997 Elle’s Commando D. McMillan 520m 8,3,1 2-1/2L 30.26sec Bobniak G2
1998 Waimera Marika F. Hampson 520m 1,5,2 3/4L 30.64sec Dylan G2
1999 Stately Bird K. Paull 520m 2,4,5 7-1/2L 30.26sec Flash Joan G2
2000 Some Secret C. McGuigan 520m 3,4,1 5-1/4L 30.05sec Bride’s Son G2
2001 Suellen Bale G. Bate 520m 1,2,5 2-1/4L 30.18sec Vi’s Magic G1
2002 Modern Assassin M. Mugavin-Brown 520m 3,6,8 Neck 30.26sec Tommy Hand G1
2003 Winsome Shot J. Finn 520m 7,4,6 Neck 30.59sec Tarawi Lass G1
2004 Kobble Rock M. Sattler 520m 5,1,3 1/2L 30.35sec Ravada Reason G1
2005 Pure Octane D. McDonald 520m 8,1,2 3/4L 29.77sec Benny’s Toll G1
2006 Suave Fella J. Thompson 520m 1,7,6 1-1/4L 30.50sec Wongawillisue G1
2007 Leprechaun Pace R. Crawford 520m 1,5,7 Neck 30.37sec Shanlyn Prince G1
2008 One Tree Hill R. Britton 520m 1,3,4 1-1/4L 30.24sec Mantra Lad G1
2009 Cindeen Shelby K. Greenough 520m 4,2,7 3L 30.08sec Take The Kitty G1
2010 Lochinvar Marlow R. Smith 520m 1,7,5 9L 29.90sec Cosmic Planet G1
2011 Fancy Will A. Azzopardi 520m 1,3,2 1L 30.03sec Oaks Road G1
2012 Race Not Held N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
2013 Sheikha J. Finn 520m 2,1,3 1L 29.84sec Cavendish Flyer G1
2014 Iona Seven R. Britton 520m 6,9,4 2-1/4L 29.56sec Punch One Out G1
2015 Dyna Villa J. Hunt 520m 8,1,2 2-1/2L 29.69sec Assertive Bella G1
2016 Asa Flying Spur A. Azzopardi 520m 3,7,4 1-1/4L 29.83sec Elfen Bale G1
2017 Shima Bar A. Dailly 520m 1,6,7 1-3/4L 29.92sec Clock’s Ticking G1
2018 Raw Ability A. Azzopardi 520m 4,2,5 1-1/2L 29.86sec Slick G1
2019 Buck’s Future S. Swain 520m 7,3,6 3/4L 29.80sec Cash Point G1
2020 King Cratos J. Magri 520m 8,1,7 1L 29.64sec Feral Franky G1
2021 Wow K. Britton 520m 5,8,3 2L 29.49sec Winlock On Top G1
2022 Jungle Deuce R. Smith 520m 4,5,8 3/4L 29.52sec Wow G1
2023 She’s A Pearl J. Lord 520m 8,3,6 2L 29.50sec Gatlin G1
2024 (Jan) Dutch Riot C. Bermingham 520m 1,7,2 2-3/4L 29.54sec My Hepburn G1
2024 NAME CHANGED FROM PAWS OF THUNDER TO PAUL WHEELER SIMPLY THE BEST
2024 (Dec) Blue Kermaro J. Formosa 520m 2,8,4 1.75L 29.40 Gets Late Early G1