This Saturday’s Australia Stakes presents a new challenge for Jigsaw, but trainer Cindy Alderson thinks the in-form gelding has earned the right to be issued it.
The Manhattan Rain four-year-old will be chasing a fourth win on end in the $350,000 Group 2 and while he is yet to win at 1200 metres in Group company, Alderson said he has never gone into a race over that trip in as good a shape as he is now.
“He’s really well and I can’t fault him,” the Cranbourne trainer said.
“He’s probably going well as well as he’s ever gone and been strong through the line every time, so he’s probably earnt a crack at it.
“If he doesn’t handle it, we can always come back in trip.”
Jigsaw will be looking to follow in Marabi’s footsteps and win the Australia Stakes the start after claiming the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m).
The start prior Jigsaw won the Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m), having started his campaign with a track record win over 1000m at Cranbourne on November 12.
While he has won twice in benchmark races at 1200m, his best Black Type effort over that trip was a narrow second placing in the Listed McKenzie Stakes as a headstrong three-year-old colt.
That remains his only exposure to The Valley in an 18-start career.
“He went pretty hard with the blinkers on,” Alderson said of the McKenzie Stakes run behind He’s Xceptional.
“I don’t think the Valley is necessarily going to be a problem for him. It’ll come down to (barrier) draws and how much pressure there is early that will make the difference to him.”
Jigsaw is one of 13 nominations for the Australia Stakes, with Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile, John Leek -trained Group 1 winners Superstorm and Western Empire, last year’s third placegetter Turaath, South Australian pair Ironclad and Beau Rossa, Star Patrol and last-start Standish Handicap winner Snapper among his potential rivals.
“Snapper is obviously the sprinter with a bit of form around him at the moment,” Alderson said.
“There are a couple of stayers resuming with quite a bit of class, so it’s an interesting race.”
