Paul Wheeler Simply The Best

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.

• Paul Wheeler Simply The Best heats: December 14, 2025
• Paul Wheeler Simply The Best final: December 21, 2025
• Type: Group 1
• Distance: 520m
• Prize Money: $100,000
• Race Record (520m): Blue Kermaro (2024) – 29.40

Blue Kermaro’s career cut short after injury at Albion Park

Blue Kermaro, Million Dollar Chase winner, retires from greyhound racing after a career-ending injury during the Golden Ticket Series. Read ...

Blue Kermaro triumphs in historic Group 1 Paul Wheeler Final

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 & betting preview | December 21

Get expert greyhound betting tips for Saturday, December 21, 2024, covering The Phoenix, Paul Wheeler previews, and Australia’s biggest races ...

Wentworth Park greyhound preview & tips | Paul Wheeler, 21/12/24

Wentworth Park will host the Paul Wheeler Simply The Best night on December 21, 2024. See the top greyhound preview ...

Paul Wheeler runner-by-runner greyhound tips & preview | 21/12

The Group 1 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best final is set for Saturday, December 21 at Wentworth Park. See the ...

Paul Wheeler final box draw & odds: Blue Kermaro heavy favourite

Paul Wheeler Simply The Best heats produce standout performances as Blue Kermaro leads the way. Paul Wheeler's final box draw ...

Top Australian greyhound racing tips & preview | Saturday, 14/12

Australia's top greyhound racing previews for December 14, featuring expert betting advice and predictions for The Meadows, Wentworth Park, and ...

Wentworth Park greyhound preview & tips | Paul Wheeler heats

Wentworth Park will host a 10-race card on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The Paul Wheeler Simply The Best heats as ...

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

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

Paws of Thunder Bookies

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.

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.

• 2024 (Dec) – Blue Kermaro triumphs in historic Group 1 Paul Wheeler Final

  Blue Kermaro produced a career-defining performance to claim the 2024 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best Final at Wentworth Park, showcasing grit and class to secure the $75,000 prize with a commanding time of 29.40 seconds. The Josh Formosa-trained star stamped his authority on the prestigious event, adding another milestone to an already glittering resume that includes victory in the $1 million Chase earlier this year.

   

  Wentworth Park 2024 211224 Group 1 Paul Wheeler Simply The Best Race 8 Blue Kermaro 29.40 Joshua Formosa

  
  2024 Paws of Thunder Results

  • Date: December 21, 2024
  • Location: Wentworth Park
  • Distance: 520m
  • Winner: Blue Kermaro (Trainer: Joshua Formosa)
  • Time: 29.40 seconds
  • Runner-up: Gets Late Early
  • Third Place: Zipping Chaplin
  • Margin: 1.75 Lengths
  • Box Draw: 2,8,4
• 2024 (Jan) – Dutch Riot’s Commanding Victory

  On January 20, 2024, at Wentworth Park, Dutch Riot, trained by Colin Bermingham, delivered a commanding performance in the Group 1 Paws of Thunder Final. Breaking from box one, Dutch Riot showcased exceptional speed and control, leading the race from start to finish. He secured a 2.75-length victory over My Hepburn, clocking a time of 29.54 seconds. This win extended Dutch Riot’s unbeaten streak to five races, marking a significant achievement in his racing career.

   

  Wentworth Park 520m 2024 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder Final 200124 Race 8 Dutch Riot 29.54

  
  2024 Paws of Thunder Results

  • Date: January 20, 2024
  • Location: Wentworth Park
  • Distance: 520m
  • Winner: Dutch Riot (Trainer: Colin Bermingham)
  • Time: 29.54 seconds
  • Runner-up: My Hepburn
  • Third Place: Nangar Larry
  • Margins: 2.75 lengths x 5.50 lengths
  • Box Draw: 1, 7, 2

  Place	Name	Trainer	Time	Margins	Box
  1st	Dutch Riot	Colin Bermingham	29.54	—	1
  2nd	My Hepburn	Susan Smith	29.73	2.75L	7
  3rd	Nangar Larry	Anthony Lord	29.92	5.25L	2
  4th	Comet A Cost	Jason Magri	29.95	5.75L	4
  5th	Idolize	Peter Presutto	30.05	7.25L	5
  6th	Go Bears	Jay Opetaia	30.10	8.00L	4
  7th	Zipping Novak	Jason Magri	30.25	10.00L	2
  FTF	Taw Commander	Andrew Rowe	—	—	5

• 2023 – She’s A Pearl wins Paws of Thunder

  She’s A Pearl solidified her reputation as the Queen of Wentworth Park with a scintillating display in the 2023 Paws of Thunder final, over the 520m trip. She’s A Pearl jumped from box 8, and with plenty of pace on her inside, followed Reflections early. At the turn it was She’s A Pearl’s time to shine, careering away to defeat John Finn’s Gatlin and Reflections. The Paws Of Thunder victory fits nicely in She’s A Pearl’s trophy cabinet, which includes a Golden Easter Egg win.

  2023 Paws of Thunder field

  	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

• 2022 – Jungle Deuce defeats all-star field

  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.

• 2021 – Winlock On Top causes upset

  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.

• 2020 – King Cratos overcomes injury to win

  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.

• 2019 – Buck’s Future Claims The Paw

  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.

• 2018 – Raw Ability makes it a double

  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.

• 2017 – Shima Bar salutes for Victoria

  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.

• 2016 – Asa Flying Spur causes an upset

  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.