Jade Darose aboard Jungle Edge (Image: Racing Photos)
The weather gods appear to be favouring popular mudlark Jungle Edge with a rain-affected track forecast for Friday night's Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley.
It's no secret the veteran loves the wet, with the 10-year-old already being backed in from $26 to $11 in Sportsbet's market with a 90 per cent chance of rain and up to 15mm expected on race day.
Trainer Mick Bell says he's been checking the weather forecast constantly, and punters have even questioned Channel 7 meteorologist Jane Bunn about just how much rain we can expect.
The son of Dubawi hasn't raced for eight weeks following the G3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) in July, after missing a run in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) when the races were abandoned at The Valley following persistent rain on August 22.
At the time a shattered Bell said he was devastated Jungle Egde had missed a chance in his perfect conditions, fearing he might not get the opportunity again this spring as tracks continued to dry out in Melbourne and Sydney.
"It's no secret we've had some bad luck lately, but it just might be turning around, the weather gods appear to have answered our prayers," Bell said.
"I'm really happy with how he's traveling and he goes particularly well off a let-up so it might have all worked out perfectly in the end.
"The horse is in really good shape and I'm expecting him to run a big race.
"At this age he really needs the sting out of the ground and it looks like he'll get that on Friday, it looks like it will be a Soft 6 and hopefully even wetter.
"I had to make tough calls to scratch him from the Bobbie Lewis because it was too dry and also to keep him in Melbourne for another run instead of heading to Sydney for The Shorts last weekend and they seem to be paying off."
The Cranbourne trainer said if conditions do suit, he expects the gelding to run a big race on Friday and hopefully open up some more options for him later in the spring.
"If he can run well he'll definitely head up to Sydney next to run in the Premiere Stakes in two weeks over 1200m and then we'll see from there," he said.
"I'm just so happy that he's getting his chance this preparation and I don't want to jinx it but surely we can't get another once-in-a-30-year event like the amount of rain we got last time at The Valley when it was washed out.
"To all the Jungle Edge fans out there I'd tell them he's ready to go, bring on the rain!"