Exciting sprinter Panama Canal will provide enormous X factor when he makes his first city appearance in Saturday night’s Group 1 KCR Maturity Classic heats (525m) at The Meadows.
Young Junction Village trainer Jess Hopkins has performed a miraculous job to have Panama Canal competing in elite company after Achilles tendon surgery and the best part of five months on the sidelines.
Panama Canal returned in sensational fashion, reeling off ten straight wins.
He then lost no admirers when placed behind superstar Ferdinand Boy in heat and final of the Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter series.
“The Pink Diamond was his first run against the big boys, and he proved he’s up to it. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy getting beaten!”
“The Pink Diamond was his first run against the big boys, and he proved he’s up to it,” said 31-year-old Hopkins.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy getting beaten!
“Saturday night is a different test for him. There’s no Ferdinand Boys, of course, but he’s over 500m for the first time and there’s a lot of pace in his race, so there’s no room for error.”
While Panama Canal boasts an imposing 12 from 15 record, he hasn’t yet won past 425m and as such he’ll create enormous interest in Saturday’s seventh ‘must win’ Maturity heat.
WATCH: PANAMA CANAL’S (B5) 12-race winning streak came to an end after a titanic duel with superstar FERDINAND BOY (B2) in the Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter heat (450m) at Shepparton on June 9.
Drawn in Box 6, continuing a horror run that has seen him draw five twice and six three times in his last five starts, Panama Canal is TAB’s $2.60 favourite.
He occupies the third line of ‘All In’ betting at $8, behind Wow She’s Fast ($2.50) and Amron Boy ($5.50).
“It’s always been the plan,” said Hopkins.
“I trialled him at Shepparton over 450m before the Pink Diamond and he ran home really strong, so after he ran second and third in the heat and final, I got his bloods done and he had an infection.
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“That made my mind up to miss the Horizon and get him ready for ‘500’.
“I trialled him at The Meadows last week and he went really well.
“He broke 30 seconds, and it was his first ever ‘500’ and first look at the track, so he’s only going to improve. He’ll definitely run the 500m but he’s going to break them up down the back.
“We’ve managed to avoid the superstars on Saturday but it’s still a tough race. He just needs clear air early and then he’ll take off.
“Yeah, I am confident. I wouldn’t swap him for anything else. He’s still young and learning and is only going to keep getting better and better.”
While she only has five greyhounds in work, Hopkins also has a live chance in Saturday’s G3 Fireball heats (730m) in Alfie Moon.
A runaway last start winner over track and distance, Alfie Moon has also been allocated Box 6 and is the $3.90 second elect in the second heat, behind odds-on favourite Aston Velvet.
“In his first 12 starts he never drew inside Box 5, so he’s used to it!” Jess laughed.
“He was really good last week and it’s time now. I think he’s definitely up to them. He’s only had three 700s, so he just needs to get a bit more seasoned.
“If anything, I’m actually a bit more confident about his chances!”
Group 3 Fireball contender Alfie Moon was a commanding last start Meadows 730m winner.
