Mudlark Jungle Edge will need a another wet track at Randwick on Saturday if he is to break through for a maiden Group 1 win in the $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m).
Jungle Edge, above, needs a heavy track to enhance his chances in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Cranbourne trainer Mick Bell will welcome more rain in the Sydney area in the lead up to Saturday which will enhance the chances of Jungle Edge who has won all his ten races on rain affected tracks.
The 2017 Sydney Autumn Carnival has been plagued with heavy tracks over the past month and the Randwick track is currently rated a heavy 8 on Tuesday morning with more showers predicted in the lead up to the weekend.
Jungle Edge’s form during the Sydney Autumn Carnival has been the best of his career with a third on a heavy 10 behind Russian Revolution and Redzel in the Group 1 $700,000 Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 18 followed by a win on a heavy 9 in the Group 3 $150,000 E-Group Security Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 25.
“The key to him is he needs a soft 5 or heavier. The heavier the better,” Bell told AAP.
The step back up to 1400m in the All Aged Stakes doesn’t worry Bell as Jungle Edge has won over that distance at Sandown in August last year.
“He’s had a little bit of time between runs and he’s won over 1400 before,” Bell said.
Jungle Edge is also nominated for the Group 3 $150,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) but Bell said that he will give the six year old his chance to win a Group 1 while he is racing in the peak of his form.
“We’re going to have a crack. We’re in form,” Bell said.
“Obviously they’re hard to win but even running a place would be really nice. We’re enjoying the ride. The horse seems to be going better and better and better.”
Jungle Edge is listed as s $12 chance for the All Aged Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au who have multiple Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart and the Kris Lees trained Le Romain as the $4.20 equal favourites.
Last year’s All Aged Stakes winner English is next in the market order at $4.40 ahead of Hellbent and Redkirik Warrior who share the next line of betting at $10.
Early betting for the All Aged Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.20 Black Heart Bart, Le Romain, $4.40 English, $8 Voodoo Lad, $9 Tavaci, $10 Hellbent, Redkirk Warrior, $12 Jungle Edge, McCreery, $16 Spectroscope, $17 Divine Prophet, $26 Japonisme, $31 Counterattack, $31 Rebel Dane, $34 Flamberge, $51 $Articus, $61 Arod, $101 Famous Seamus.
