Jungle Edge finished runner-up in the Gr3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield last year but with his favoured wet track conditions went one better on Saturday.
Jungle Edge shared the early pace and was first into the home straight, staying on strongly to hold the late rally from Viridine (Poet’s Voice) to score by three-quarters of a length.(pic: Racing Photos)
It is the 19th win from 82 starts for the rising 10yo and his seventh stakes win.
Trainer Mick Bell told broadcaster racingdotcom he was confident when the rain began to fall on race morning and further still when it was downgraded to heavy.
“I’m just in awe of that horse, in absolute awe. It did look as though he’d go very well today but they’ve still got to do it and he always delivers,” Bell said.
“This is three times now that he’s come off a six week break and with a little trial.
“But you can’t order the weather so that claim wouldn’t gone out the window if it was a Good 4 here today.
“So we’ll see how he pulls up and if it’s a heavy track then we will probably run (Bletchingly Stakes in a fortnight).”