Will star Jungle Deuce return for the Queensland carnival?

By Alex Nolan

Co-owner Brian Jaggers says Jungle Deuce has recovered from a hock injury that has kept him sidelined since February and hopes his star chaser can make another appearance at the TAB Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.  

The winner of February’s Group 1 Gold Bullion at Albion Park picked up the injury in a heat of the Australian Cup at The Meadows but returned to the trial track last week, which pleased connections.

Prepared by Forbes trainer Jack Smith, and owned in partnership by Jaggers and Clay Mawson, Jungle Deuce is undefeated in seven starts at Albion Park.

Some of his most memorable wins at ‘The Creek’ include last year’s Group 2 Flying Amy Classic, the Origin Match Race for New South Wales, the Group 2 Golden Sands at 600 metres and the Gold Bullion.

His Brisbane record alone would place him high up in TAB betting markets for the Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup starting on June 30.

From there, he would be among the leading chances in any three of the Origin Greyhound Series races for the Blues, who will look to retain the shield after their 2021 victory.

Jaggers said he and all involved in Jungle Deuce loved coming to Brisbane but would be guided by the dog as to whether he makes it in time.

“He looks terrific,” Jaggers told Racing Queensland.

“He trialled well the other day and hopefully we’re heading in the right direction.”

Jaggers identified the Chief Havoc Series, starting on June 5 at Gunnedah as a possible target for the two-time Group 1 winner.  

“But, all being well we’d love to get back to Brisbane,” Jaggers said.

“We’ve had some unbelievable times up there.

“I suppose when you’re seven from seven at the track, you’re not going to walk away complaining.”

Meanwhile, fields for Thursday’s meeting at Albion Park have been released, including heats of the Group 3 Brisbane Young Guns over 520 metres and the Group 3 Carnival Chase over 600 metres. 

Both heats were originally scheduled for last week but had to be moved back after the meeting was abandoned due to Brisbane’s latest ‘big wet’.

After initially drawing the rails for her heat of the Young Guns last week, leading contender Tungsten Miss has now drawn box six in heat four, which comes up as the race six on the 12-event programme.

In many cases, a trainer would be forgiven for feeling a touch disappointed with the change, but not Jedda Cutlack.

Tungsten Miss, a winner of five from six over the 520 metres at Albion Park, was originally drawn to the inside of the troublesome King Cole, who is known for taking a sharp turn towards the fence upon jumping.

Cutlack said drawing six this week was “100 per cent” better than the alternative.

The card also features the $10,205 to the winner Legacy Classic over 520 metres, which has attracted a field of six.

Power Moves, who was in terrific form at Albion Park prior to the floods, has scored the coveted inside draw.

Narrow Group 3 Rockhampton Cup runner-up Jagger Moves has drawn box four with vacant boxes to his inside and outside.