Wow Delivers Britton A Birthday To Remember

THE Wow roadshow looks bound for Victoria after the much hyped son of Fernando Bale stormed away with Saturday night's Group 1 Paws Of Thunder Final (520m) at Wentworth Park.

Stepping out as the fastest qualifier following last week's 29.41 heat victory, Wow handed owner-trainer Karina Britton a memorable maiden group 1 triumph, landing the $75,000-to-the-winner showpiece by two lengths in 29.49.

The scintillating win all but guarantees Wow a place in the Group 1 Temlee (525m) at The Meadows, the invitation only event to be staged on February 13 to kickstart the lucrative Australian Cup carnival.

"I don't know what to say … he's just an awesome dog and I'm really lucky to have him," Britton said.

"It's just awesome. I keep doubting him and he keeps proving me wrong. I'm never confident but I was worried tonight from the box but he came out and got himself into a good spot at the first turn.

"He's learning all the time. He's special."

Wow's Paws Of Thunder heroics extended his winning sequence to eight.

Winner at 16 from 25 overall, Wow's prizemoney earnings now sit on the cusp of $200,000, his Paws Of Thunder win sitting alongside successes in the Gosford and Goulburn Cups.

And if Britton does elect to head to Victoria with her gun sprinter she does so at a time when the regally bred chaser is at the peak of his powers.

In the past three months he's blossomed from a greyhound with immense ability with a tendency to do a lot wrong to a fully furnished race dog that's learnt what it's all about.

The penny has well and truly dropped.

"I can't properly explain how I'm feeling … and it's my (35th) birthday today too, he's given me a great birthday present," Britton added.

"I've had a lot of people help me along the way. A big thanks to Ken and Mary Wright who I was with for 18 years, they taught my so much. And my late step dad Ron Field who gave me these two dogs (Wow and Ad Astra).

"He passed away when the pups were four months old but I'm sure he would have been watching down from above tonight."

Finishing second in the Paws Of Thunder was a gallant Winlock On Top two lengths away while early leader Zulu Warlord ran a huge race to fill third for Mick Hardman.

In another remarkable siring performance, champion Fernando Bale was responsible for the first four runners across the line in Saturday night's group 1 decider.

His deeds as a sire seemingly know no bounds.