A clean scope will enable Jigsaw to take his place at The Valley after a mishap forced him out of a race a week earlier at Caulfield.
Jigsaw became cast in his box in the lead up to the Group 3 Vain Stakes and with some skin off his nose trainer Cindy Alderson erred on the side of caution.
But a good week at Cranbourne will see Jigsaw line up in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) on Saturday in which the son of Manhattan Rain wears blinkers for the first time.
Alderson said the skin from Jigsaw’s nose was not overly concerning, but discharge from a nostril was with the trainer holding fears of a sinus problem.
“We’ve scoped him, it’s cleared up nicely and it’s just a bit of bark off and we didn’t want to take the risk that close to the race last week,” Alderson told RSN.
Alderson said Jigsaw had not missed any work and galloped at Cranbourne last Saturday instead of taking his place at Caulfield before another piece of work on Wednesday.
“The key with him will be to see him with the blinkers on,” Alderson said.
“He looks a different horse, a more professional horse when he’s got them on.
“He’s worked in them a few times now and from all reports they help him switch off and focus on what his job is.”
Jigsaw steps to the 1200m for the first time since running eighth to Artorius in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in February.
Alderson does not see the trip being a problem as the Blue Diamond was run at a brutal tempo while Jigsaw did win at 1100m two starts back.
“I’d like to see him camp off the speed, follow them into the race, come out and use that turn of foot that he’s got and ping over the top of them,” Alderson said.
