Local SA Greyhound Hope’s Up Breaks Interstate Dominance Of SA Oaks Final
Ten years of Interstate dominance was broken Thursday night in the Coffex Coffee Oaks when Hope's Up trained by Meningie trainer Cameron Butcher was able to lead throughout and claim the Group 3 feature for SA. Not since the Colin Wachtel trained Braakensiek in 2002 had a South Australian trained greyhound taken out the SA Oaks and the winner's cheque of $25,000.
Hope's Up began brilliantly from box 2 to cross race favourite Stetson Donna and then was challenged in the back straight by Arcadia Shiraz for Ossie Chegia. Off the back straight it looked like Hope's Up was under pressure however she kicked clear of Arcadia Shiraz in the final straight to win by ¾ of a length in a flying 29.98. Arcadia Shiraz and Significant Bit (Bob Isaacson) filled the minor placings making it an all South Australian trained dais.
Hope's Up is locally owned by Cameron and wife Yvonne Butcher and took her career record to 22 wins and 9 placings from just 36 starts with almost $40,000 in prizemoney. As a winner of the Group 3 feature she also earned her breeder, Strathalbyn based Alan McCulloch, an extra $3,500 thanks to the GRSA SA Bred Group Race Super Bonus Scheme established earlier this year.