Cranbourne trio Mick Bell, Kevin Forrester and Jungle Edge have developed a cult following after their heroics during the Sydney autumn carnival.
It extended further to Brisbane in winter before coming to an end on firming ground at Doomben in June when Jungle Edge beat one runner home in the Stradbroke Handicap.
Bell has endured a tough six months after his wife Beverley died from breast cancer earlier in the year, but Jungle Edge has given the trainer his career highlights.
Two Group Three wins and three Group One placings in Sydney and Brisbane have Bell looking for wet tracks during the spring.
Sent for a break following the Stradbroke, Jungle Edge makes his return in the Group Two Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Bell has also nominated the gelding for Sunday’s rescheduled Bletchingly Stakes at Sandown, but the predicted rain in Sydney has influenced Bell to look north.
“The entry for the Bletchingly was made just in case we got a power of rain but that doesn’t look like happening, so I don’t think I’ll even accept,” Bell said.
“He’ll probably be short of a run on the weekend but he’s stripping nice and fit, however it would have been good to get a trial into him first.”
Bell said Jungle Edge had freshened up at Aquis Farm in Queensland following the Stradbroke with work on the water walker and swimming.
It coincided with Bell taking his first trip overseas where he based himself in Greece and took the opportunity to travel to Newmarket in England and Chantilly in France.
“I even got an invite to the Greek Derby,” Bell said.
“I tried to be an ambassador for Australian racing as much as I could.”
Jungle Edge has been in Sydney for two weeks and Bell said he worked well at Rosehill on Tuesday morning.
The weather will dictate Jungle Edge’s campaign going forward.
“I feel the tracks down here (Melbourne) drain too well,” Bell said.
“I’d be lucky to get something to suit and I think our best chances are in Sydney.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather at times so I have to learn to be patient.”
