Trainer Mick Bell won’t give up on Everest dream with Jungle Edge

Trainer Mick Bell hopes Everest slot-holders haven’t forgotten his bold frontrunner Jungle Edge after the veteran sprinter showed he’s still got plenty of dash at Sandown Lakeside.

An emotional trainer Mick Bell forecast another trip to Sydney in October for his veteran sprinter Jungle Edge and even put him in the mix for a slot in The Everest after a stirring win at Sandown.

The eight-year-old led from start to finish under apprentice Michael Poy to take his career winnings close to $1.4 million in the Ladbrokes Handicap (1200m).

Bell, who lost his wife Bev in 2017, said Jungle Edge had helped him through the difficult times and suggested that on the wet tracks in Sydney, there could be more success to come.

Jungle Edge loves to swim! pic.twitter.com/zWJWNJ53zV

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 15, 2019

Jungle Edge ran second to Pierata on a heavy track at Randwick last October in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes after missing out on a spot in The Everest.

Bell was adamant his warhorse would have run a place in the $14 million race and believes if given a slot this year, he could more than hold his own.

“We just had to get through today and we have always got our eye on Sydney because it’s usually wet there,” Bell said.

“I’d like to have another crack at the consolation race for The Everest, or maybe someone will give us a slot. If he’d of run in it last year, he would have run a place for sure.”

"I cry nearly every time I look at him."

An emotional Mick Bell credits Jungle Edge who has helped him through some tough times. A sensational post race interview. @JaseRicho @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/G1WcqhmQk5

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 15, 2019

A Group 3 winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter, mainly on soft or heavy tracks, all of Jungle Edge’s 16 wins have come on rain affected ground.

Beyond his affinity for the wet, Bell said the gelding held a very special place in his life, and that of the horse’s owners and they hope for more to come.

“I nearly cry every time I look at him,” Bell said.

Jungle Edge was back to his frontrunning best at Sandown Lakeside. Picture: AAP

“He’s been there in the hard times. He won a couple of races (at Sandown) when my wife was still alive and really got us through some hard times. He’s a marvel.

“When I build another house I am going to build a room for him. It will be the Jungle Edge room. It’s a dream come true to have a horse like him. He’s made so many people happy.

“Maybe they’ll make a movie about him.”

Meantime, hard work with a hard to handle French import could reap spring dividends for trainer Mike Moroney after Mr Marathon Man’s gutsy victory at Sandown.

Mr Marathon Man, a winner at Listed level in France, saluted at just his third Australian start in the Back Yourself Handicap (1600m) after a masterful ride from Damien Oliver.

Trainer Mick Bell hopes Jungle Edge can earn a slot in The Everest. Picture: Getty Images

The veteran hoop said he needed to “speak French” to get the five-year-old son of So You Think past favourite Waging War right on the line making up more ground in the straight than any other runners for the day.

Moroney said the hope was to target some “decent races” in the spring now they had managed to get the best out of the expensive purchase.

“It’s just been hard to get him to do things right,” Moroney said.

“We took a risk with the 60.5kgs, and most people would claim. But Ollie is worth his weight in gold and I’m sure in the long term, he’ll get to work him out.

“He’s got some talent, and it’s just a matter or harnessing it. His real form is at 1800-2000m and we hope to get him there.”