Local galloper Jigsaw has outsped his rivals to claim the second running of The Meteorite at Cranbourne.
The 1200m slot race with a $1 million prize money pool saw Jigsaw lead throughout for Cindy Alderson in the Moonee Valley Racing Club’s slot.
Jigsaw earned the chance to race for Moonee Valley when he was successful in the McEwen Stakes (1200m) on Cox Plate Day.
With apprentice Logan Bates in the saddle, Jigsaw ($6) led home Arkansaw Kid ($6.50) by three-quarters-of-a-length with Zou Sensation ($6.50) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Alderson had her father, Colin, along with mother Lyn and sister on course to celebrate the win.
She said the victory mean’s a lot not just to her, but her family, and staff.
“I can’t really believe it to be honest, especially with everyone around me today,” Alderson said.
“My dad’s here, so is my mum, my sister and her children. It’s a real family affair.
“That’s how we got started in the game. Logan is like family to me, he’s been with me all along and all my staff are like family, so it’s a really proud moment.”
Jigsaw has turned his form around this campaign with a winning hat-trick at his last three starts.
Alderson said a long spell had certainly attributed to Jigsaw’ rejuvenation.
“He did have a lovely spell, and I think that got him back in really great shape,” Alderson said.
“He’s enjoying himself, he’s got his confidence right up and he and Logan are the new combination.”
Southside Racing, which runs the combined Club at Cranbourne and Pakenham racecourses, will stage another slot race, the $1 million Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on December 13.
Alderson said Jigsaw will not be set for that race having found the 1400m journey too far previously.
“We did try that once before. I think we’ll stay in our wheelhouse from now on,” she said.
Bates has been a big part of the Alderson team since beginning his apprenticeship but has formed a special affinity with Jigsaw winning three times this campaign on the sprinter.
“He was made to work a bit early, but I still think we got it soft enough and we were able to ramp it up on the corner,” Bates said.
“He has an unbelievable gallop around the corner and that’s where he breaks them open.
“To the horses’ credit he kept digging and digging when they challenged and held them at bay.
“He pricked his ears coming back, so he was pretty happy.”
