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FWC: FRA v ENG LIVETe Aroha mare loves New Plymouth
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • July 18th, 2026 6:17 pm
Ayteem winning at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)
The Peter Lock-trained Jungle Love continued her love affair with New Plymouth on Saturday when extending her unbeaten streak on the track to three wins.
The five-year-old daughter of Ace High won her first two starts at the Taranaki track, and she has continued to be a model of consistency, placing in three of her next four starts.
Following her three consecutive runner-up results this preparation, punters showed their support for the mare, backing her into a $3 favourite on Saturday.
She settled handy in the one-one for jockey Masa Hashizume, who asked her to improve three wide with 500m to go. Turning for home Jungle Love had leader Zanzibar firmly in her sights and she quickly drew level with the Andrew Formsan-trained runner before capturing the lead and continued her momentum to post a 1-1/4 length victory over Afterglo.
After a frustrating run of second placings, Lock was pleased to breakthrough for an elusive win.
“I am glad that is over,” he said. “She has always shown us a lot and she is a work in progress.
“I think she is going to be better next time in. Mentally and physically she is just not quite there yet, and I think once that does happen she is going to be a really good horse.”
With loftier targets in mind, Lock said the spelling paddock now awaits and his mare will be put aside for next season.
“We are going to look after her and she will probably go to the paddock for a break and we will bring her back in the spring,” he said.
Bred by Dennis Dravitski, Jungle Love was the first foal out of three-win Zabeel mare Lovelight, and she has now won three of her seven starts and has earned just shy of $75,000 in prizemoney.
Earlier on the card, stablemate No More Pennies continued her pleasing form, with the last-start winner placing in the Seaton Park (1800m).
