Scorching Run Has Deuce Primed For Golden Sands

JUNGLE Deuce, straight off an “unthinkable” Dubbo sprint track record, ran the third fastest ever 600m winning time of 34.52 when winning his heat of the Group 2 Golden Sands at Albion Park on Thursday night.

And then came up with an ideal box draw for next week's $75,000-to-the-winner final when he draw the two.

The son of Barcia Bale-Serena Fly High scored by seven and a half lengths over Magic Prince for owners Clay Mawson and Brian Jaggers and trainer Jack Smith.

“Yes,” said Clay. “We would like to think he can go better in next week's final.

“That was only his second run over 600 metres.”

NSW superstar Jungle Deuce has issued a warning to his rivals ahead of next week's Group 2 Golden Sands Final with a blistering heat win. He stopped the clock in 34.52 – just 0.09 seconds off the @BrisGreys track record – and appears the dog to beat! #QLDisRacing ? pic.twitter.com/Atm2sxPlhD

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) December 30, 2021

Jungle Deuce, a half brother to champion Tommy Shelby, was coming off a 28.93 Dubbo track record, the first ever to go under 29 seconds for the 516m distance.

“It was a very hot day at Dubbo and we also wondered if it would take a toll on him for the race at Albion Park,” said Clay. “We thought it might have flattened him.

“But, it certainly didn't appear to.”

The dog's connections were over the moon with the two draw for the final.

“It's a great draw for him,” said Clay.

Mawson will head to Albion Park next week to savour the moment of yet another Group final with the dog.

“We went to Melbourne for The Phoenix and enjoyed the experience,” said Clay. “We thought he was unlucky not to have finished third considering he was moving up on the home turn and got flattened.

“Dogs like this come along once in a lifetime for Brian and I and we have to experience every moment of their careers.”

Jack Smith has not decided on future plans for Jungle Deuce ahead of next week's Golden Sands.

“That is not Jack's go,” said Clay. “He never likes to get ahead of himself with the dog's he trains.

“He decided on the switch to 600 metres with him because just lately he has been getting into a bit of strife early in his sprint races.”

Jungle Deuce has now won 20 of his 36 starts for $287,000.

Other heats of the Golden Sands went to Aston Ulysses for Paul Abela in 34.92, Line Of Quality for Darryl Thomas in 34.84 and We The People for Selena Zammit in 35.00.

G2 Golden Sands (600m) in box draw:

1 See Them Try
2 Jungle Deuce
3 Magic Prince
4 We The People
5 Extra Malt
6 Aston Ulysses
7 Line Of Quality
8 McCooley's Lad
Reserves:
9 Dulceria
10 Brockie Magic