Jungle Panther Races Into Horsham Cup Folklore

JUNGLE Panther roared into Horsham Cup history with an eye-popping last-to-first victory in the group 2 final last night.

Amazingly, the fastest heat winner was sent to the boxes a $6.40 chance despite being the quickest qualifier for the final. That skepticism from punters seemed justified after the son of Barcia Bale and Up Hill Jill stepped a clear last from box 5.

As he did in the final, Stealth ($3.80) began fast to lead from box 1 before Matt's Hope ($4.80) worked across from box 8 to assume control into the first turn.

Panther pounces

JUNGLE PANTHER comes from stone motherless last to snare the Group 2 @sportsbetcomau #HorshamCup Final.

Last week's fastest heat winner lands his first group success at start number 63!#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/c7EtumhRCt

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) March 10, 2023

The slow beginning turned out to be a blessing for Jungle Panther as Matt's Hope cleared a path for him to muster around the outside, and as the midfield bunched (and causing $3.60 favourite Baby Jaycee to be spat out the back) Jungle Panther had improved to fourth.

Turning for home, Stealth and Matt's Hope began to tire leaving first reserve Aston Lira ($13.20) –  which gained a start with the scratching of Panadero Warrior – and Jungle Panther to battle out the finish, but it was Jungle Panther that proved too strong, powering to the line to win by 2½ lengths in 27.06.

It was Jungle Panther's seventh victory in eight starts at Horsham (running second in his other start) and his first at group level, the $47,000 first prize elevating his career earnings beyond $165,000.

The win was a real family affair for Jeff Geall, who enjoyed a group race victory for the first time in his training career. Jungle Panther is a half brother to Melbourne Cup winner Koblenz being out of champion sprinter Up Hill Jill which was trained by his brother David. He was bred by his sister-in-law Rose, and is owned by his wife Marie.

The Horsham Cup honour roll is littered with some of the sport's biggest names including Melbourne Cup winners Satan's Shroud, Kantarn Bale and Classic Capri, and since the track was rebuilt in 2017, has been won by Orson Allen, Tiggerlong Tonk and Shima Shine among others.

Earlier in the night, Tiger Time took out the Horsham Cup consolation for Alan Croxford, while Xylus Bale won the Jan Wilson Memorial for Andrea Gurry.