Covid Casts Doubt Over Jungle Deuce's Maturity Tilt

FORBES trainer Jack Smith is working desperately to get star sprinter Jungle Deuce to Victoria to contest the heats of the Group 1 Maturity Classic at The Meadows on Saturday night.

Jungle Deuce had to be scratched from the Group 1 Brisbane Cup heats two weeks ago due to the ongoing Covid crisis in New South Wales.

Smith took the opportunity to rush Jungle Deuce (Barcia Bale-Serena Fly High) to Victoria for a 29.83 trial around The Meadows in preparation for the $100,000-to-the-winner Maturity series.

“Yes, I was really happy with the run especial as it was trial morning,” Smith said.

But with the Covid outbreak in Sydney escalating, Victoria responded on Sunday by closing the border to all NSW residents, leaving Smith with work to do to get Jungle Deuce to Melbourne for Saturday night.

“I've got a mate in Seymour who might be able to meet me at the border at Albury and he could run the dog through the series,” Jack said.

“But, we only have today to work out all the details and see how we can actually pass the dog over.

“The nominations for the Maturity close on Tuesday morning.”

Jungle Deuce raced at Dubbo on Saturday night but found trouble and finished fifth to Memphis Keeping as the $1.45 favourite.

“He is a young dog who needs to keep racing to keep his timing right,” said Jack. 

“Now with the closure of Wenty more problems are coming up. They are throwing more money at Dubbo racing at the moment which is a help.”

Jungle Deuce has raced 20 times for 13 wins and earned $208,000.