Melbourne Cup Hero To Create MDC Mayhem

By David Brasch, Greyhound Recorder

A 29.60 first-look trial at Wentworth Park has primed multiple Group 1 winner Canya Mayhem for his tilt at Million Dollar Chase fame.

Canya Mayhem (Bernardo-Bali Sunset) has drawn box three in a city qualifier of the MDC (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

The Victorian star is the standout runner in the qualifiers and comes into the series already the winner of the G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Gold Bullion.

Jess Hopkins trains the dog for part-owners Nick Lalli and Frank Cremona.

He has started 31 times for 15 wins, seven placings, and put together earnings of $1.086 million.

"He went 29.60 in the trial last Thursday, before the race meeting," said Nick Lalli.

"His first section was a moderate 5.53, but his run home was super.

"He is not really a trial dog, so Jess was very happy with his performance.

"That first section is up for improvement and he is normally an excellent beginner. He's ticking all the boxes during this preparation."

Canya Mayhem is an amazing race dog.

Apart from his two Group 1 wins, he was second in the G1 Phoenix, the G1 Temlee and G3 SA Derby, and a finalist in the G1 Sandgroper and G2 Cranbourne Cup.

All that from just 31 race starts.

A breeding career is beckoning and Nick Lalli said there had been feelers out for him to stand at stud in the not too distant future.

"He is a dog who just loves racing," said Nick.

"Hopefully there will be good improvement off his trial there last week.

"But as always, it will be a tough assignment especially against the NSW locals."

Those include Flash Ethics from the powerful Dave Smith kennel, coming off a 29.42 win at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.

He has drawn box seven against Canya Mayhem.

South Australia-based Lalli is hoping for a change of Wentworth Park fortune on Saturday night.

"I've had a few of our dogs go to Wenty for feature races, but had no luck," he said.

"Canya Exclusive drew box one in a Golden Easter Egg semi-final but we had to scratch with injury."

Canya Mayhem is the perfect race dog, a fabulous traveller by car or plane.

"Nothing fazes the dog," said Nick.

He has raced five times since resuming from injury and is a last start Sandown winner in 29.40 in FFA company, winning three of those five starts since returning.