Canya Mayhem halts Brett’s Group 1 clean sweep

By Pat McLeod

A brilliant finish from Victorian rising sprint star Canya Mayhem has halted a Group 1 domination by master mentor Tony Brett at The Q on Thursday night.

After guiding Fade To Black to an upset win in the Garrard’s Gold Cup Final (710m), premier Queensland trainer Brett appeared set for a clean sweep of the Group 1 program when Cumbria Chrissy looked certain for an all-the-way win in the Garrard’s Gold Bullion Final (520m).

However, Jessica Hopkins’ Canya Mayhem surged in the shadows of the winning post to grab victory, with Michelle Sultana’s Winsome Jet third.

“That was an unbelievable run,” said Hopkins, who is based at Junction Village, south-east of Melbourne.

“I did not think he was going to get there.

“She (Cumbria Chrissy) really kicked on the home turn and that’s when my confidence went.

“He (Canya Mayhem) was struggling to get her. But he did.

“He is just a real race dog.

“He is probably more known as a dog that jumps to the front, but he showed in The Phoenix how tough he is, after copping a few whacks and still finishing second.”

Hopkins believes Thursday night’s $250,000-to-the-winner victory will go a long way to ‘Sammy’ losing his ‘underrated’ tag.

Despite winning the Melbourne Cup and his second placing in The Phoenix, Hopkins said the Bernardo x Bali Sunset chaser continued to be underestimated.

“He has a pretty good CV from just 22 starts, but he is underrated by people, including me,” she said.

“Maybe everyone including his trainer will take him seriously now.

“I know that he is a very good dog. He is just so professional.

“He is very businesslike and does his job. He is a real pleasure to work with.”

In the past Hopkins has sent dogs north to Brett for major carnivals, but decided this time to travel with Canya Mayhem, ‘and enjoy a bit of time away’.

“This win is extra special because it is an ‘away win’ and under my name,” she said.

“There is no doubt it is hard to travel and win, especially at Group 1 level.

“In Victoria we know how hard it is when others come there. We have a big advantage because we know the tracks inside out.

“But I do want people away from home to see how good this dog is.

“And he is now showing just how good he is. Now hopefully, two Group 1s and a second in The Phoenix gets him into the (Group 1) Temlee (at The Meadows on Saturday week).

There was no shortage of big names and quality racing on the biggest night, and closing act, of the Queensland Golden Greys Summer Carnival on the Ladbrokes Q2 Parklands circuit on Thursday night.

Fade To Black ($10) had to set a new time mark – 40.85secs – to lower the colours of brilliant Victorian stayer, Without A Trace (Peter Presutto) in the Gold Cup Final (710m).

Fade To Black led for the entire trip to hold off a gallant Without A Trace to win by two and a half lengths with Magpie Hector (Jack Smith), third.

In the earlier features, exciting young chaser Sironen Tiger (Darren Russell) took out the Vince Curry Memorial Final (520m) by seven lengths in 29.51secs, with Our Girl Stella (Mick Johnston) second and Zipping Houlihan (Tom Tzouvelis) third. 

Darren Taylor’s Dish Liquor won the Rosewood Vets Country Cup Final (520m) by four and three-quarters of a length in 29.90, with Maisie Moo Moo (Tony Parker) second and Parker’s Organised Kaos third.

Riorson Bale (Greg Deering) claimed the Garrard’s Golden Oldies Final (520m) in 29.66secs ahead of Shamrock Hayze (Sandra Hunt) with Hunt’s Mustang Hayze third.