Jungle Deuce was being hailed in some quarters as "the new Feral Franky'' after Jack Smith's latest find notched his fifth win in as many starts on Saturday night at Wentworth Park.
Jungle Deuce, just 23 months of age, made it four Wentworth Park wins on the trot with a spectacular performance to win a strong 520m fifth grade by more than eight lengths in a sensational 29.58sec.
The dog looked awkwardly drawn in box seven but after his customary moderate getaway went fast down the outside to be second at the first turn, before crossing to the rails to head off kennelmate Dip It In on the back straight.
"He just wants to win doesn't he?'' trainer Jack Smith said after Jungle Deuce's romp, which had keen judges predicting that the FORBES trainer could have a worthy replacement to his retired champion Feral Franky.
"Heats of the New Sensation at Wentworth Park on March 24 look a good option for Jungle Deuce,'' Smith added.
Jungle Deuce's quick time was bettered by the David Smith-trained Ice Cream Story, who ran a slashing 29.55 to score her seventh Wentworth Park win in a dozen appearances at headquarters in Saturday's Free-For-All.
Ice Cream Story was beaten out of the boxes by Diamantina Rose but railed to the lead going into the first turn and defeated that greyhound by just over three lengths.
"Ice Cream Story wants an inside box and she made full use of it tonight,'' David Smith said later.
"I'll be heading to Richmond with her and her kennelmate Super Estrella for heats of the group 2 Oaks there on February 26.''
Training honours on Saturday were once again with Jodie Lord, who landed a treble with Cawborne Footrot, Coast Model and Mr Ticket.
Cawborne Footrot, having only his second 720m test, overcame a mediocre getaway to lead at the first turn before winning in 42.28, a big improvement on the 42.78 he recorded at his only previous long distance outing at Wentworth Park.
Coast Model was particularly impressive as while she led throughout, she was "ankle tapped'' by Kiarni Ivy as she crossed from box four to get clear on the first corner.
Under the circumstances, Coast Model, a March, 2019 juvenile, did well to run away for a six lengths win in a slick 29.84, taking her record to five wins from eight starts.
She Zipper led all the way to clock 30sec flat in another 520m fifth grade but her win was full of merit considering she is a "week to week'' proposition according to trainer Robert Howard.
She Zipper was having only her second start in eight months after sustaining a serious injury last May.
"Last year she suffered a severe stopper tendon injury and resumed racing with a third at Wentworth Park on January 13,'' Howard said.
"After that race She Zipper pulled up a bit scratchy and the only way I can prepare her for racing is on the walking machine and with swimming at Horseshoe Beach, Newcastle.
"Apart from the occasional hand-slip I can't risk trialling her because I'm fearful she might pull up sore again.
"Providing She Zipper stays sound I would like to have her in the heats of the Richmond Oaks on February 26.''
