Trainer Cindy Alderson from Cranbourne still finds it hard to believe the exceptional winning streak Jigsaw enjoyed last season.
Seven wins from eight starts, including two Group 1 successes and victory in Perth’s The Quokka, led Alderson to question if it was all a dream.
The reality, however, is that Jigsaw is back in racing action on Saturday to contest the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Jigsaw initiated his incredible run with a win at Cranbourne, coincidentally on October 10, then proceeded to a Group 2 victory at Moonee Valley and subsequently The Meteorite at Cranbourne last November.
His travels took Jigsaw to New Zealand for Group 1 glory at Ellerslie in January before he returned to claim two races at Caulfield, another Group 1, and finally Perth for The Quokka in April.
“I can’t quite believe it, but it was a lovely place to be,” Alderson commented.
“He’s brought me a lot of pleasure and everyone in our stable has had a lot of fun out of him, and he’s certainly given Logan (Bates) the ride of a lifetime.
“He’s a funny little horse. He’s always been a little bit quirky, but if he gets his confidence up, which he seems to have at the moment, and he has confidence in the rider, and Logan has confidence in him, I think it’s a great partnership.”
Alderson was hesitant to name her absolute favourite Jigsaw moment, as each win was special in its own unique way.
“Every race was good for different reasons,” Alderson explained.
“Winning the Meteorite at home, fighting back to win the William Reid was pretty amazing.
“When he went to the Quokka, he had had a few races and he was over eager.
“He worked really fast on the Tuesday morning, probably too fast, and I thought he was going to be vulnerable.
“To see him overcome a slow start for him, and some rivalry from Tommy Berry’s riding, and still hang on and win the race, I thought was a really courageous win.
“For a lot of different reasons, they were all remarkable wins, and that was the beauty and the joy of the campaign.”
A recent gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday has given Alderson confidence that Jigsaw is performing at his best.
Now eight years old, Alderson is eager to see how Jigsaw responds to racing again, but she has not ruled out further travel plans.
The Meteorite, on her home track, has not been discounted, and even an earlier trip to Perth for the Winterbottom Stakes could be on the cards.
“I’ll take it race by race with him, just as I have in the past,” Alderson stated.
“If he comes up as well as we expect, there’s options to go back to the Meteorite, even go back to Perth for the Winterbottom.
“He might have to go down the Flemington straight at some stage as a gap filler.
“He’s only had two runs down the straight, but I don’t think the straight is 100 per cent suitable for him.
“It’s still a nice track to race on and being a bit older, he might handle it better now.”
With Jigsaw set to run in the Schillaci Stakes, many are anticipating the betting markets for this feature race.
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