Jessica Hopkins claims first Group 1 win with Canya All Class
Jessica Hopkins secured her first Group 1 win as a trainer with Canya All Class, defying critics in a remarkable victory at the Topgun Stayers.
Despite initial doubts about her greyhound’s ability to contend in a field of elite stayers, Hopkins watched as Canya All Class surged past front-runner Drill Sergeant and held off late challenges to clinch the $75,000 title, winning in 42.72 with the top greyhound bookmakers paying $6.60.
“I just can’t believe he’s done it,” Hopkins said after the race, reflecting on the unexpected triumph.
“I thought he was probably still six months away from being a top stayer.”
2024 Topgun Stayers Race Replay – Canya All Class (42.72)
She celebrated the victory with family members in attendance, including her mother, grandmother, aunt, and uncle, while fondly remembering her late grandfather, who had won a similar race in 1996.
Canya All Class started as the third-fastest from the boxes, but Hopkins’ dog quickly gained ground, climbing behind Drill Sergeant, the reigning Victorian Stayer of the Year.
Demonstrating resilience, Canya All Class held the lead against a group of closing competitors in the final stretch, crossing the finish line first in a race that Hopkins called “a dream come true.”
Ella’s Babe faced challenges of her own, attempting to maneuver through the pack in the race’s final moments but ultimately colliding with Canya All Class and Drill Sergeant.
Aunt Virginia and Valpolicella, meanwhile, made late surges to secure third and fourth places, respectively.
For Hopkins, the night was more than just a win—it was a moment of legacy and fullfillment, made even more memorable by the presence of family who witnessed her achieve what she once considered a distant dream.
2024 Sportsbet Topgun Stayers Results
Sportsbet Topgun Stayers ResultsMeadows730m$75,000 to-the-winner9/11 – 8:15pm
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| 1st |
4 Canya All Class
T: Jessica Hopkins – Time: 42.72SP: $6.00
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| 2nd |
1 Drill Sergeant
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| 3rd | |
| 4th |
7 Valpolicella
T: Anthony Zammit – Time: 42.84Margin: 2.00SP: $16.90
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| 5th |
8 Exploded
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| 6th | |
| 7th |
5 Ella’s Babe
T: Brooke Ennis – Time: 42.93Margin: 3.25SP: $4.80
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| 8th |
2 Ritza Piper
T: Joseph Scerri – Time: 43.06Margin: 5.00SP: $12.40
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| ✘ | |
| ✘ |
10 Black Silencer
T: Timothy Aloisi
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