Cindy Alderson cannot quite put her finger on the improvement from Jigsaw who is aiming to remain unbeaten as a four-year-old when he runs at Sandown.
Jigsaw runs in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) on Monday, looking to add another victory to wins secured at Cranbourne and Caulfield.
He looked one of Victoria’s select two-year-olds after a debut win at Geelong in January 2021, defeating Artorius, before running third in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield.
Jigsaw then finished eighth in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, returning later in his two-year-old year to win over 1200m, at Caulfield.
Gelded after a spring three-year-old campaign, Jigsaw had two wins the following winter over 1200m at Cranbourne and Caulfield, before significant wet tracks saw him lose his way.
Stepping out on firm ground in two runs as a four-year-old has seen Jigsaw land the prize on each occasion in stylish fashion.
Alderson said Jigsaw seemed to be thriving.
“I think it has come down to a lot of things, but certainly dry tracks have been a help,” Alderson said.
“He has come to himself a little bit and we’ve just let him do a bit of own thing too. He seems to know that he’s the boss and it’s like he gets a buzz out of it.
“He runs along at fairly good sectionals, so they’re going to have to be on their game to run past him.
“I don’t say he has to lead. He’s happy to be wherever, so long as he feels like he’s in charge.”
Both of Jigsaw’s two wins this campaign have been at 1000m, running a new track record at Cranbourne before taking out the Listed Doveton Stakes at Caulfield.
Alderson said Monday’s race is a different set-up, although she is not concerned about the rise in trip.
“He’s a little more exposed to horses that can finish over the top of him on Monday, but he’s got to go somewhere, and this looks the right race,” Alderson said.
“He was won over 1200 metres before so I don’t think the 1100 metres will be a problem.”
