Mogambo’s Comeback Now A Full Scale Assault
Enigmatic sprinter Mogambo, who is on the comeback trail after a bone chip in the wrist in April, put any fears of a relapse to bed last night with a devastating 29.52 Rapidvite Victorian National Sprint Championship heat win last night.
Mogambo (Where's Pedro ~ Zarbo) only had his first run back from injury on Friday 6th June at a Geelong meeting a classy Free For All field, finsihing 5th.
From there he progresses to the Sasha's Blend 5th Grade heats at Ballarat and Lara trainer Jamie Ennis told Australian Racing Greyhound prior to the race that “He is the most gifted chaser I have in the kennel” and “He has loads of natural ability.”
It wasn't to be that night, but one week later Mogambo produced, running a best of night 24.89 and blousing his nearest rival by 13.75 lengths and only 1 and 1/2 lengths of Whisky Assassin's track record.
A sub 30 Sandown effort followed two runs later, with Mogambo posting a handy 29.81 5th grade heat win; but it was his back to back Ballrat 550 wins that elevated Mogambo to national attention.
Contesting mixed 4/5th grade 550m events 6 days apart, Mogambo relished the track running a brilliant 30.97 the first time and then smashing the Ballarat 550m track record with a sensational 30.64 performance.
Ennis told Australian racing Greyhound after the run that “I thought ‘track record' straight away when he came out of the boxes,”.
“He has so much raw ability, and is now starting to put it all together.” Ennis said.
Ennis added that “He needs a bit of room to move but has been hindered by bad box draws,” Ennis said. “But lately he has been full of confidence.”
He also gave us an insight in to last nights run, “Mogambo will now be programmed towards the forthcoming Group 1 National Sprint Championship series prior to being stepped up in distance” said Ennins.
But last night Mogambo reinforced the calibre of his class by blitzing his rivals in his heat of the Rapidvite National Sprint Championship at Sandown Park.
Beginning brilliantly from box 7, Mogambo ($3.20) crossed in front of Cool Effort ($2.60 favourite) to lead through the first turn. From there he raced away from the field to finish seven lengths ahead of Cool Effort in a stunning time of 29.52.
It is the fastest time at Sandown this year and the eighth fastest ever, equaling the time Cool Effort ran in June 2007.
In the other heats, Bliksem ($3.40F) continued his outstanding form at the Lightwood Road circuit, winning his third consecutive start after defeating Kelandy ($21.90) by 2.5 lengths in 29.91.
Darren McDonald tasted success with All Caution ($3.50F) proving too good, defeating Turanza Bale ($6.40) in 30.04, while Summer Grace caused the upset of the night when she led all the way to defeat Sonador by three lengths in 29.94 at the luxury odds of $22.50.
The box draw for next week's final was performed trackside last night and hasn't done Mogambo's chances any harm drawing the coveted rails alley for the chance to progress to the National Sprint Championship final at Wentworth Park.
No.NameGradeFormBestLastTrainerApprox. Odds
1Mogambo36112129.5229.52Jamie Ennis$2
2Sonador33163229.7830.13Amy Ralph$15
3Kelandy54526230.0130.07Stan Ralph$41
4All Caution45112129.7630.04Darren McDonald$8
5Bliksem16511129.7829.91Ian Cockerell$3.75
6Summer Grace31743129.8729.94Rocky Crisafi$16
7Turanza Bale41614229.7930.29Graeme Bate$14
8Cool Effort21387229.5229.97Ronald Dunne$9
9Velocette44127329.5529.99Graeme BateUnquoted
10Miami Vice42115329.7530.10Jeff BrittonUnquoted
The $10,000 to-the-winner Victorian final of the Rapidvite National Sprint Championship will be run at Sandown Park on Thursday 14 August, with the winner and runner up going on to represent Victoria in the $72,500 Group 1 national final to be run at Sydney's Wentworth Park on Saturday 30 August.