Late year winning form has inspired Cranbourne-based trainer Cindy Alderson to take a big step towards notching her first win at the highest level with Jigsaw who takes on the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Alderson, who before 2016 trained in partnership with her father Colin, will stake a milestone moment with her first runner outside of Australia so the decision to travel the seven-year-old gelding was not made lightly.
As opportunity knocks in New Zealand, Alderson is hopeful that Jigsaw can build on his three wins at his past three starts with the latest in the AU$1 million The Meteorite (1200m) at her home track in November.
“There has been a lot of rain,” Alderson noted though that is expected to ease off come race day as Jigsaw’s best is often seen on firmer going.
“He travelled really well and he lost about seven-kilos (about 15.5 pounds) on the trip over but he probably had that to spare as he had put a little bit on after The Meteorite.
“He is bright and happy and he worked really nicely at Ellerslie on Tuesday morning.”
Alderson noted that Jigsaw’s good form towards the end of 2025 inspired the New Zealand target and also as an opportunity for the horse to strike a group one win.
“We had a fabulous run and after he won the (Listed) McEwan Stakes in October, I had this race earmarked for him as it put him back up in the weight scale and after winning The Meteorite we were even more confident and positive to give it a go.”
Jigsaw will be ridden by regular jockey Logan Bates who is also yet to notch a group one win himself.
Bates, who made his riding debut in Victoria in 2023, rode two winners at Flemington last Saturday and also rode a winning double on his only other trip to New Zealand last November.
