Hopkins Eyes Elusive Group Race Breakthrough

JESS Hopkins is aiming for her first success at group level when she prepares runners in two group race finals this weekend.

The popular Junction Village based trainer will send emerging stayer Alfie Moon to the Top Cat Video Cup Final (730m) at The Meadows on Saturday night before Panama Canal lines up in the Healesville Cup 16 hours later.

"It's been a pretty easy week," said Hopkins of her preparations.

"We try not to change anything. I get just as nervous in a maiden as I do a group final."

Alfie Moon qualified for the $25,000 to the winner 730m final after running second to four-time group 1 winner Gypsy Wyong in last week's heat. It was his eighth placing from 10 starts over 700m or more and importantly, his time of 42.58 was some six lengths faster than his best winning time over the distance.

The 2022 Healesville Cup Box Draw!

Let us know who you think wins below ? pic.twitter.com/WIWjuSjhRn

— Healesville Greyhounds (@HVLGreys) September 4, 2022

His chances were enhanced after drawing box one for the final.

"Alfie Moon has drawn where he wants to be which will help, because I all eight dogs can win it so fingers crossed the box will help.

"He's an out and out stayer really. If he's out the back he can come from behind but if he leads he can stick on so we don't have to worry about where he settles."

Hopkins takes particular pride in Alfie Moon's achievements to date, the son of Fernando Bale arriving in the kennel as a pup and immediately showing strength and love of running.

"He was ready to go way before we though he would be and was ready to go at 18 months. We knew from his first ever hand slip that he's run 500m which is not always the case, and we've stepped him up and there's been no looking back really.

"I keep looking for a reason to give him a week off but he just pulls up better each week to be honest. He's just loving distance running – even during the week you let him go and he just runs – he just loves running.

"He's bit of a push button dog really, he's the perfect dog to have around."

On Sunday, Panama Canal will be aiming for a third straight victory up the Healesville straight when he starts as one of the favourites for the Cup.

Panama Canal justifies his short quote ($1.04) and takes out Heat 1 of the Healesville Cup in 19.18 ?

Master Ogilvie came second and will now have a long wait to see if he's in the three fastest second's of the heats to qualify for next week's cup. pic.twitter.com/C5p9yuWMz4

— Healesville Greyhounds (@HVLGreys) September 4, 2022

Panama Canal is no stranger to lengthy winning streaks having won 12 on the spin earlier in the year. After a run of four outs, he bounced back to the winner's list with a brilliant 18.88 win two starts ago before winning his Cup heat in 19.19.

He'll jump from box six in the $50,000 to the winner final, a box from which he has already won from in fast time.

"I actually like him drawn out a bit down the straight so I'm not too disappointed with the draw," she said.

"He's pulled up fine, I've had him checked twice and he's all good. Hopefully we can get a clear run, that's all we want, and if he's good enough, he's good enough. No excuses.

"If he runs up to two weeks ago he's right in the race."

While success in either group race over the weekend would be a career highlight, Hopkins will keep any celebrations low key.

"I have got a nice bottle of wine in the fridge that I have been keeping, so that'd probably be it.

"There's really time to celebrate – you've got to get home to feed the dog – so will probably open a bottle of wine and watch the replay a few times."