South Australian superstar Worm Burner will line up in the world’s richest greyhound race tomorrow night at Sandown Park, the $600,000 TAB Melbourne Cup.
Much to the surprise of punters in the heats, Worm Burner settled at the head of the field before accelerating away to win by 3½ lengths in a fast 29.30 sec. The win was his first in Victoria in five attempts and the 34th of his career — 13 of those in succession at his home track at Angle Park this year.
“He’s finally won a race in Melbourne so the monkey is off our backs,” laughed trainer Cameron Butcher.
Worm Burner was disappointing in the four-dog Shootout at Sandown Park earlier this month, finishing last. Butcher was unsure whether to return to take on the nation’s best in a heat of the Melbourne Cup.
“I was tossing up whether to even enter him in the Melbourne Cup heats because I thought he was dismal in the Shootout,” he said.
Few greyhounds in Australia boast a fan base as big as Worm Burner’s, with South Australian sports lovers behind their hero.
“He’s got such a big following back at home. Every punter in South Australia knows him and they will all be cheering for him in the Cup,” Butcher said.
Worm Burner is aiming to be the first greyhound from South Australia to win the race since Fox Hunt in 1991.
“He went poor in the Shootout from a wide draw after a lot of people thought he was suited out there. He has drawn Box 2 tomorrow night, and if he can get around the first bend near the front, he’s in with a chance,” Butcher said.
Worm Burner is no stranger to Group 1 success, having won the National Sprint Grand Final in jaw dropping fashion in August, defeating TAB Melbourne Cup favourite Zambora Brockie in the process by a whopping six lengths.
Worm Burner is rated a $7.50 chance with TAB to win the Melbourne Cup.
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