Melbourne Cup hero Canya Mayhem will fly the Victorian flag tonight when he contests the Million Dollar Chase on what promises to be one of the biggest nights in greyhound racing history.

Victoria’s sole representative in the $1 million-to-the-winner showpiece has the chance to write his name into the record books, not only by joining an exclusive club of greyhounds to surpass $2 million in career prize money, but by becoming the final Million Dollar Chase champion crowned at the iconic Wentworth Park.

And the significance of the occasion isn’t lost on trainer Jess Hopkins.

Canya Mayhem will jump from box one in the blockbuster final, a draw that would usually be welcomed on home soil, but one that has raised a few eyebrows in Sydney.

“I’ve been told by the locals that it’s not a good box to draw, which is weird to me,” Hopkins said.

The Melbourne Cup winner’s road to the final has been anything but straightforward.

After finishing third in the city qualifiers, Canya Mayhem only gained a semi-final start as a reserve.

“I thought he was disrespected last week after the one run at Wentworth Park,” Hopkins said.

“He was disappointing in the heats – he slipped off the mat and was then halted off the back straight before wobbling home.”

But good dogs have a habit of delivering when it matters most.

Sent out a $10 chance from box four in his semi-final, Canya Mayhem silenced the doubters with a 29.38-second victory over pre-race favourite Ritza Sophie and Golden Easter Egg winner Off The Chart.

“His win looked workmanlike, but then I looked at the clock and was much happier,” Hopkins said.

Now, with the long drive to Sydney underway and an anticipated crowd of 7,000 set to farewell Wentworth Park, Hopkins and Canya Mayhem are ready to embrace the occasion.