Desert Jungle Is All Speed
Having an engine and ability isn’t always ideal for first time out juveniles. When they know they can run it can lead to them just being a little too exuberant. That was true for Desert Jungle as she made a promising debut but was a little too keen to really show her true colours. She showed that she had learnt from that experience and put her natural speed to good use when she took the 5f British Stallion studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Catterick.
Desert Jungle had begun her racing career at Thirsk just three weeks earlier. It was a run where the filly showed promise but she just did a little too much, running slightly on her nerves and going a few strides too quick. It had been a good education and if she could utilise that speed in the right manner then a win should be around the corner.
Catterick is a track that suits speed and so Shane Gray looked to use that as he got the leg up on Desert Jungle. The odds on favourite was well away and looked to take control of the race from the off. Shane was not about to give up his good draw and didn’t allow his rival to move up on his outer. Showing bright speed once again,. Desert Jungle took the lead and set strong fractions as they raced towards the left handed bend.
Clocking 42mph, much of the field were taken out of their comfort zone and unable to go the gallop. Desert Jungle was kept honest by the favourite and by halfway the two were vying for the lead. The race was left to them as they entered the final 2f and now Shane got into his drive to try and kick away from his rival. It was Desert Jungle who was looking the most at ease but she had yet to shake the fav.
Passing the final furlong marker was where Shane really asked the question. Holding a small lead, Desert Jungle was now asked to really stretch and she did just that. The front pair had been inseparable throughout the contest but it was the powerful Bungleinthejungle filly who now asserted. With each stride she took a little more out of her rival and Shane quickly reverted to hands and heels. He could feel his filly had plenty in the tank and she had decide the race with 100 yards to run. Desert Jungle strode out to a 1 1/2 length success.
Desert Jungle showed a more mature racing style here and that is what won her the race. Shane allowed her to use her natural speed but it was kept under control where she could then finish her race. The final furlong saw Desert Jungle stride clear and she put a good margin over the favourite in second. It is clear that at present Desert Jungle is a real speedball but she has plenty of scope about her too, which bodes well for the future.