In-form sprinter Jigsaw will not chase an eighth straight win this season, with trainer Cindy Alderson confirming the veteran has been sent for a winter spell following his outstanding campaign.
Speaking to Racing.com, Alderson said the rising eight-year-old had earned a break after a remarkable run of seven consecutive victories.
‘’I took him to the farm this morning and he’s gone out for a holiday,’’ Alderson said.
‘’He was looking so fine, so resplendent as he was cantering around this morning, but I just thought ‘he’s done his job’ and really, he’s more than done his job. He’s just been awesome.
‘’There’s only really Queensland, which is another trip after being to New Zealand and then to Perth and I just thought his last run (win in the Quokka), I know there were reasons for it, but I just thought he was a little bit below what he had been as he was out on his feet on the line.
‘’I would say he would be out for May and June and he’ll come back August/September and we’ll be looking for a run sometime in October.’’
Jigsaw’s winning sequence began in the Apache Cat Stakes at Cranbourne last October and has since included major victories such as the $1 million Meteorite, the $5 million Quokka in Perth, and his maiden Group 1 successes.
Those elite-level wins came in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m) in New Zealand and the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Alderson said the journey with the sprinter had been especially rewarding.
‘’I am absolutely thrilled beyond words with the preparation he’s had and the journey that we’ve been on and the fun that he’s given us all and the satisfaction and all those things,’’ she said.
‘’But I am probably under no illusion. He’s a damn good horse, but I don’t know if he’s top, top draw.
‘’He’s kind of put himself in a pretty high bracket now so it’s certainly going to be hard coming back as an eight-year-old.
‘’All the same, he’s probably the soundest horse I’ve got in the stable and there’s no reason why he wouldn’t come back refreshed and ready to go again.’’
While there has been some discussion around a potential start in the Group 1 The Everest (1200m), Alderson indicated no firm plans have been made.
‘’A few people have said things but I don’t know whether it will come up a bit early and it’s a big mountain to climb The Everest.
‘’You’ve just got to see how things land. In terms of The Everest, I understand there is a large contingent going over to Europe so that might open-up The Everest a little. But in saying that, Ka Ying Rising is expected to be there.’’
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