Jungle Deuce Wins Paws Of Thunder Thriller

JUNGLE Deuce maintained his group race rampage with a powerhouse victory in Saturday night’s Group 1 Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park.

STAR performer Jungle Deuce maintained his group race rampage with a powerhouse victory in Saturday night's Group 1 Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder (520m) at Wentworth Park.

In a performance that has the Jack Smith-trained son of Barcia Bale firmly in the discussion as Australia's premier sprinter, Jungle Deuce was at his brilliant best in the group 1 finale, finishing powerfully to run down race favourite Wow in a flying 29.52.

The winning margin was three-quarters of a length while Chase Me Honey ran a great race for trainer Mick Hardman to finish third.

On this night two years ago Forbes mentor Jack Smith finished second in the Paws Of Thunder with his superstar Feral Franky in what was his swansong from racing.

So it was only fitting that on the night that Jungle Deuce landed the Paws Of Thunder it was Feral Franky which sired the first winner of the program in Hope Mcgraw.


After the race a proud Smith was full of admiration for his gun chaser.

"It was a great race and he's just a great little dog," Smith beamed.

"He's won two group races in his past four starts over two different distances in two different states … that's an amazing achievement and if anything he seems to be just getting better.

"I knew Wow would take some running down out in front but when I saw the Deuce railing up into the race I thought he could do it.

"He's just a very special dog. He never lets us down and he hasn't again tonight."

Now a winner at 23 of his 39 starts with stakes now a tick over $440,000, Jungle Deuce made it five wins on the trot with Saturday night's emphatic victory.

The younger half-brother to Tommy Shelby has now netted five group race wins with the Paws Of Thunder title his first with group 1 standing.

His other major triumphs coming by way of the Group 2 Golden Sands (600m), Group 2 Flying Amy (520m), Group 2 Brother Fox (516m) and Group 3 New Sensation (520m).

All things being equal Jungle Deuce will return to Brisbane next Thursday night for the heats of the Group 1 Gold Bullion (520m) at Albion Park.

The powerhouse galloper is yet to be beaten at Albion Park in five starts which have all been in group class company.

Meanwhile, on a stellar card of racing, Zipping Kyrgios produced a stellar performance to annex the Listed The Collerson (520m).

A shock loss in a Paws Of Thunder heat last Saturday did nothing to deter the son of Aussie Infrared which was simply awesome, storming home to take out the $15,000-to-the-winner event in a fast 29.60.

Early leader Qwara Bale finished 2 ¼ lengths second while Devel Sixteen finished third another 4 ¼ lengths away.


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