Karabitsakos chasing biggest success in Group 2 Bendigo Cup

ANTHONY Karabitsakos is hoping his promising sprinter can return to the racetrack with a bang when he contests a heat of the (425m) on Sunday night.

Black Mumbo hasn’t been seen since winning the final at Sandown Park in April, suffering an injury when taking out the $9,060 feature.

Since resuming, the son of and My Path Princess has shown Karabitsakos enough potential to target the Cup series at Bendigo.

“At his last start in the Vic Breeders at Sandown he pulled up a bit sore and had a tear in his back muscle,” Karabitsakos told Australian Racing Greyhound.

“He was still good enough to win it, even though the time wasn’t that good, he was still able to push through.

“I had to give him some time off to let it repair but he has had a couple of trials and he is feeling good.

“He has run really good times in his trials since coming back from the injury so I thought why not give it a go – you’ve got to be in it to win it.”

Prior to his setback, Black Mumbo had started to put together an imposing record, with nine wins from just 17 starts including a fast 29.37 around Sandown Park.

The 35 kilogram heavyweight has drawn box two in heat seven on Sunday against a quality field including Bear’s Gold (box three) and Shared Equity (box seven), however Karabitsakos thinks he can make an impact.

“I’ve always known he had ability but I just wanted to progress him slowly through the grades – I didn’t want to push him too hard too early.

“He is a good dog and he has got a bit of early speed and the good thing about him is it doesn’t really matter what box he gets – he seems to be able to win from anywhere.

“He seems to go better against better opposition – if I run him with good dogs he performs well but if I run him with slower dogs thats when he seems to find trouble.”

With some luck in the early stages, Karabitsakos is hoping Black Mumbo will be able to show what he is truly capable of out in front.

“If he gets on the bunny I don’t think they will be able to catch him,” he said, “When he is feeling good he can really run.

“He should run a good race…hopefully with a bit of luck he can show his best.

“I took him to Bendigo for the first time last preparation and he ran 23.70 without having seen the track so I think he could go a bit quicker.

“I can’t say for sure what he will run because he seems to surprise me all the time, but he has got plenty of improvement in him and he is just starting to mature.

“He is one of the special ones which I will probably only get once my a lifetime.”

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To make the final would be an amazing thrill for Karabitsakos who has been involved with greyhounds since he was a child.

“I have been involved with the dogs since I was a kid with my dad.

“I was always under his wing, but he passed away three years ago so now I am doing it all on my own and trying to do everything he taught me over the years.

“My wife Atitaya likes the dogs and she always used to catch them for me at the track but we have a two month old son (Frankie) now so she is focusing on being a mum at this stage.

“I can’t wait until Frankie is old enough to get involved with the dogs – I remember I used to follow my dad everywhere when I was young so it will be nice to do the same with my son.”

Group 2 Bendigo Cup – all in market

Ultimate Magic – $6.50
Weekend Binge – $6.50
Sleek Master – $7.50
Shared Equity – $8.50
Aston Bolero – $11
Lorimer Lad – $13
Big Ticket – $15
Bearville Azza – $15
Jack Walker – $15
– $15
Asa Killa Queen – $21
To The Galo’s – $21
– $26
– $26
It’s All Talk – $34
Major Jackpot – $34
Pure Titanium – $34
Fancy More – $34
Fearless John – $51
Aston Ryder – $51
Zoltina’s Legacy – $51
Proven Kodiak – $51
– $51
Zoltina’s Prize – $51
Zipping Arnold – $67
Folio Bale – $67
One For Me – $67
Mystery Ride – $67
Black Mumbo – $67 with Bet365
Asa Hard Knox – $81
Alpha Demeter – $81
Aston Sloan – $81
Sketchy Nick – $101
Bear’s Gold – $101
Sailaway Jackie – $101
My Girl Chloe – $101
Who’s Driving – $101
Slick Ice – $101
Zambora Beau – $101
Brilliant Shot – $101
Shared Bonus – $101
Connemara Black – $151
Yanong – $151
Coalville Tiger – $151
Krazy Kanga – $151
Militant Chief – $151
Gotta Get Back – $151
Diego Bale – $151
Fantastic Roxy – $151
Proper Bluey – $151
Galester Hook – $151
Alpha Hermes – $201
Eddie Yap – $201
Magic Coups – $251
Destini Supreme – $251
Hawka Tron – $251
Rickety Gate – $251
Who Told Red – $251
Macrory – $251
Dandy Jack – $251
Midnight Flynn – $251
Mumma Josie – $251
Gold Compass – $501
Irinka – $501
Igor Karakoff – $501
Twilight Callum – $1001
Quink – $1001
Little Pookie – $1001
Sparkeen – $1001

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