Butcher's High ‘Hopes' For SA Oaks Decider

BABY of the field Coorong Lucy will be out to emulate the deeds of her grand-dam Hope's Up when she takes her place from box one in Thursday night's Group 3 Coffex Coffee South Australian Oaks Final (515m) at Angle Park.

Back in 2012, Cameron and Yvonne Butcher guided Hope's Up to SA Oaks glory, a victory that proved to be a stepping stone towards a hugely successful career, winning 39 of her 74 starts, boasting the incredible winning strike-rate of 53%.

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And while her dazzling race track deeds were something to behold, Hope's Up has proven to be quite successful in the breeding barn as well, producing among others, 24-race winner Molly Be Nimble, dam of Thursday night's group 3 Oaks hopeful Coorong Lucy.

"It's a big thrill to get her through to the final – it was only a last minute decision to put her in the Oaks with her being so young," explained Butcher in the lead up to Thursday's finale.

WATCH: Coorong Lucy's gritty 30.21 SA Oaks heat success

Still a tender 18 months of age, Coorong Lucy has faced the starter on five occasions for three wins and two seconds, included in those victories last Thursday's gritty 30.21 Oaks heat win, a time that would have been significantly faster with a cleaner run in transit.

"She trod on the heels of the dog in front of her a few times and I thought that would be it for her chances but she picked herself back up and got going again which was pleasing to see," Butcher said.

"If you were given the chance to pick a box for her in the final we would have taken the one but it's still a big ask for her at this stage … she'll need to come out running and get some luck along the way – you always need things to go your way in these big races," added Butcher.

Coorong Lucy's place in Thursday's Oaks finale is another feather in the cap for up-and-coming sire Worm Burner, Butcher's former champion chaser enjoying a stellar start to his stud career.

"He's got three bitches through to the Oaks final which is a huge effort given how many pups he has racing," beamed Butcher.

"To win a race like this would mean even more with one of his pups – we're very proud with the way he's going (at stud)."

With some very smart pups doing the rounds, Worm Burner's overall progeny record currently stands at a cool 81 winners from 365 starts, his 23.5% winning strike-rate firmly entrenching him inside the top 10 Australia wide.

And while Coorong Lucy will be giving her nearest rival at least five months for Thursday night's Group 3 assignment, major bookmaker Beteasy has installed her a solid $5.00 chance to take out the $25,000 to-the-winner final from box one.

Current favourite for the final is the Jeff Britton-trained Mepunga Maggie at $2.60 from box three, while exciting Moreira bitch Submission, who got the better of the favourite in last week's heats running 29.70, is second elect at $3.80 for Brad Keel.

Fellow Worm Burner pups Miss Bellawood, another trained by Jeff Britton, is $6.50 from box eight following her 29.92 heat win, while Kisses For Cloda, prepared by top local trainer Ben Rawlings, is a $26.00 chance from box seven.

Oakvale Beauty, who boasts seven wins and four minors from 11 Angle Park appearances, is currently a $5.50 hope from box two for trainer Nathan Wilson, rounding out the key chances in betting.

Pic courtesy: Kurt Donsberg Greyhound Photography