Veteran mudlark Jungle Edge chasing slot in $14m The Everest

The wetter the better for veteran sprinter Jungle Edge who could be lobbying for a slot in $14m The Everest if the gelding can salute at Royal Randwick.

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Trainer Mick Bell doesn’t hide the fact he spends more time looking at weather patterns than racing patterns when it comes to finding starts for “the people’s horse” Jungle Edge.

Bell has continued to chase the wet tracks for his veteran sprinter who is after win No.17 in the Winter Dash (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday seven days after an emotional victory at Sandown.

The Randwick track is rated a Heavy 8 after a week of rain.

All 16 wins for the eight-year-old gelding, including three at Group 3 level, have come on soft or heavy going, a factor which Bell believes has prolonged both of their careers.

Jungle Edge returned to winning form at Sandown last weekend. Picture: Getty Images

It’s a pattern which has Jungle Edge “full of beans” for Saturday as he looks to salute in the $120,000 event, a race in which he finished second last year.

“Part of his longevity, is that I have really tried to follow the wet tracks,” Bell said.

“And I tend to let his races do the talking, I don’t over gallop him in between. I’m pretty careful about it. He’s only got to maintain his best. If he keeps his “A” game, we’ll be right in anything.

“The horse is in form, and to be honest, he seems to have a spring in his step even more than what he has had for a long time.”

Saturday will be start No.70 for Jungle Edge, including 24 at Group level, which has netted just under $1.4 million in prizemoney.

Bell said his “15 minutes of fame is dragging out to 30 minutes” as the horse which has kept him going keeps on performing. Continuing in to next season is likely too, but a victory at Randwick could start a whole new campaign for the pair.

Bell’s official target is the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) in October, the “consolation” race for runners not picked to compete in the $14 million The Everest.

Trainer Mick Bell hopes Jungle Edge can attract the attention of slotholders in The Everest. Picture: Getty Images

But after finishing second last year behind Pierata, which has a slot in The Everest this year, Bell won’t rule out trying to coax Sydney officials to back his horse in.

“It would be nice if the ATC showed some vision with their slot and maybe give it to the people’s horse,” he said.

“Last year I did a bit of spruiking, because of the ownership of this horse. He’s followed by three or four football clubs, two or three nursing homes, two or three country towns, and people all around. He’s brought home a couple of quaddies. He’s a popular horse.

“He was an emergency for The Everest last year. I’m sure on a wet track he would finish in the first five, I have no doubt.”

If that doesn’t happen, however, you can expect Jungle Edge to pop up in a big sprint race somewhere. “He’s enjoying his racing, so we’ll keep going,” Bell said. “They are a long time retired. And it could be a while before I get another one as good as him.”

MAKE IT RAIN

JUNGLE EDGE’S WET TRACK RECORD

Soft: 27:9-3-4

Heavy: 16:7-3-2

Total: 43:16-6-6