Jungle Edge lifts Bell’s spirits
Mudlark Jungle Edge continues to lift the spirits of trainer Mick Bell.
Jungle Edge ($6.50) led throughout to win the BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday and will back up in next week’s Group One Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
Bell has experienced the highs and lows this year.
While Jungle Edge has made a meteoric rise through the sprinting ranks, Bell has experienced a shattering loss in his personal life after the death of his wife Beverley.
“Unfortunately I lost my wife 14 weeks ago and it would be really nice if she was here today to see this,” Bell said.
“We’re making the best of it. The horse has helped us all.”
Bell is hoping the publicity Jungle Edge has generated will help to raise awareness and much needed funds for research into triple negative breast cancer.
Ridden by Kevin Forrester, Jungle Edge led throughout to win by 2-1/4 lengths from High Midnight ($21) with Uhlmann ($3.90) a half head away third.
“Going to all these carnivals is a new world for me and I’m a little overwhelmed,” Bell said.
“He just keeps getting better and better. It’s scary how good he is.”
Bell is glad he changed plans to run Jungle Edge on Saturday.
“I was actually going to run next week but when the rain happened I came a week early and ran him here,” he said.
“I actually put off knee surgery. I was supposed to have on Wednesday as well so I’m glad we’ve come.
“Our plan is to run again next week then two weeks again after that in the Stradbroke.”
Jungle Edge was beaten at his previous run in the Wangoom at Warrnambool on May 3 but had excuses when he hit his head in the barriers before the start.
“I didn’t think he ran too badly that day and I just hope everyone who had their money on him then fronted up again today,” Bell said.
Jockey Glyn Schofield said High Midnight will be better suited in races longer than 1350 metres, while John Allen was satisfied with Uhlmann’s effort to finish third.
Highly-rated New Zealand sprinter-miler Splurge, the $3.60 favourite, was never a winning possibility beating only one runner home in finishing a disappointing ninth.