Australia: More weight, longer distance to test Jungle Book
A three-race winning streak in recent months has left Jungle Book in a precarious situation in a handicap at 1 9/16 miles at Wagga Wagga Racecourse in Australia on Monday.
A 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, Jungle Book has understandably risen in the official handicap ratings through the winning streak, resulting in higher weight assignments. Monday, Jungle Book is the 133-pound topweight in a field of 12. Jungle Book was assigned 140 pounds, but the presence of apprentice jockey Georgina McDonnell reduced the weight.
McDonnell has played a pivotal role in Jungle Book’s recent success. She was aboard for wins in handicap races at Wagga Wagga on June 5 and June 20, races in which Jungle Book closed from well off the pace to win by at least 1 1/2 lengths.
The style of those wins indicates Jungle Book may be able to handle a longer distance on Monday. None of the other runners have won at the distance, and only two have started over that trip.
The handicap is the last of eight races on a program that begins at 10:25 p.m., Eastern, or 7:25 p.m., Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Jungle Book is one of three runners in the field trained by Trevor Sutherland, who also starts Willy White Socks (126.7 pounds) and Run Hoff Run (121). They were fifth and eighth behind Jungle Book on June 20. Willy White Socks, a 7-year-old gelding, will have his 92nd start on Monday.
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The 3-year-old filly Aperol Sprint, who has won her last two starts, and Roland Garros, second to Jungle Book on June 20, are starting at 1 9/16 miles for the first time.
Aperol Sprint, who will carry 121 pounds, won a maiden race at 1 1/4 miles at Bathurst on May 28 and a handicap at that distance at the same venue on June 15.
Roland Garros, who is winless in his last six starts since a win in a handicap at a mile last July, will carry 132 pounds. He is likely to set the pace and will need to be comfortable early to be a factor at a new distance.