2020 SA St Leger - Final Review
It was the 42nd running of the SA St Leger last night at Angle Park and the dominance of trainer Cameron Butcher in recent times for this race continued when his star sprinter Coorong Lucy put up an amazing effort to score and give Butcher his 5th win in the last 7 years. Joining the names of her illustrious kennel mates Worm Burner, One Fire, Coorong Kid and Sidney’s Shadow on the honour roll she put in a performance that was reminiscent of their best performances on the track.
Coorong Lucy was sent out a warm favourite however after drawing box 4 some felt this awkward draw could be the only way she could be beaten in the restricted age classic. As the start was affected, she began very well to be up vying for the early lead and was almost able to cross the inside division while Hot Desert Storm for Tony Rasmussen exploded from box 7 crossing the field with blistering pace. Coorong Lucy received a check losing a number of lengths while Oakvale Elite for Nathan Wilson, Spring Vinnie for Greg Board and Boss McLaren for Don Foster were all also affected to varying degrees. Into the back straight, Hot Desert Storm had broken away in the lead with Rouge for Don Turner while Long Gully Barny for Paula Hearnden and American Man for Lisa Rasmussen gave chase around the outside. Coorong Lucy balanced up on the inside and started to give chase but was midfield and some 6 or 7 lengths of the lead. Off the back straight, Hot Desert Storm was going well in the lead out by 3 lengths from Rouge while Coorong Lucy had worked to third on the inside with American Man sweeping home from out wide. Prior to turning for home Coorong Lucy was motoring and came to the outside of Rouge to quickly move to second and charge out after the leader. As they approached the finish line Coorong Lucy was coming home two to Hot Desert Storms one as she swept to the front and a scintillating victory. She came home that strong she won by 1.25 lengths going away from her rivals. Hot Desert Storm was brave in defeat running second while American Man got home nicely into third 3.50 lengths in arears. Coorong Lucy’s overall time was a slick 29.87 with splits of 4.49 and a slow 17.32 after the interference she copped. Considered a high-speed greyhound, she added another string to her bow coming home in a blistering 12.55 after finding trouble, amazing the oncourse crowd.
She is out of Worm Burner and Molly Be Nimble being Owned and Bred by the Butchers and will not turn two years of age until the 3rd March next month. For such a young greyhound she is proving to be wise and professional performer.
Coorong Lucy has now won 20 races from her 28 starts and 6 placings with career prizemoney around $67,000.