A previous Group 2 winner at Moonee Valley a few years back, Jigsaw’s connections would’ve headed into Saturday’s Group 2 MVRC McEwen Stakes (1200m) with a level of confidence despite tackling last start Group 1 MVRC Manikato Stakes winner Charm Stone.
Impressive last time out when scoring over 1200m at Cranbourne, Cindy Alderson’s 7yo Manhattan Rain gelding was unwanted in the betting, starting as one of the outsiders behind favourite Charm Stone and with the barrier scratching of Tropicus, the field was down to just seven.
From the middle of the field, apprentice Logan Bates had Jigsaw out of the gates swifty where he went forward while I Am Invincible’s multiple Group 1 winner Charm Stone crossed from the outside barrier to settle just off him.
With plenty of pace on, Jigsaw maintaied the pressure in the lead, and when the home turn was reached it was clear that Charm Stone had had a hard run as Jigsaw kept going, holding off all challengers to score by a length and three quarters.
In a photo for the minors, Klabel, who had finished third to Jigsaw at Cranbourne, took second, just ahead of Bridal Waltz.
Not all went to plan for the favourite Charm Stone as the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr trained mare weakened to finish sixth in the field of seven runners.
Trainer Cindy Alderson effusive in her praise for not only her horse, but apprenctice Logan Bates who recorded his first Group 2 success.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the horse. Logan, Melissa and Hannah, his track rider got out of hospital on Thursday to come to the races.
“It is a very special day.
“He’s always been a funny little horse. He always has his seasons, and I did ride him before he won at Cranbourne, and I thought I have not felt this horse like this ever.
“Normally I wouldn’t back him up, but I did.”
“I think you all know Logan is my apprentice. It has been a bit like Jigsaw, there have been a few blockages in the way, but we’ve got there now and he’s a great kid. He’s not a kid, he’s a man, and I’m so proud of him.
“Great ride by Logan again. To come here while still claiming on such a big day, and to just nail it like that and have the confidence in himself, I’m so impressed with him and the horse.
“It is really special that the horse has won on such a special day.”
Winning his first Group 2 race, Bates highlighted Jigsaw’s speed.
“It is so special to do it for Cindy and the Alderson family, and on this horse. When he’s right, he’s unbelievable and very quick.
“It did surprise me. I copped that early pressure and it did go away fairly quickly.
“When he had his earls pricked down the side, that’s when you know he’s loving his work, and I thought he’d be pretty hard to beat off the corner when I gave him a little click up and he surged up underneath me.
“It is just amazing. It is good to see the horse back in this sort of form and for Cindy.
“Hasn’t sunk in yet but it is pretty amazing to do and on Cox Plate Day. I’ve only been riding a tick over two years and to knock over a group two so early in my career is incredible.”
In recording his fifth black type victory, and second at Group 2 level, Jigsaw’s took his record to 11 wins and five placed efforts from 35 starts with earnings of $1,350,000.
Bred by Mrs LB Alderson, Jigsaw is the best of three winners out of the three-time-winning Lonhro mare Demandz, herself a daughter of the Listed winner Loaded Command.
From the family of dual Group 1 winner Steif Magnetica (All Too Hard) who was successful on Saturday in the $2m Group 2 ATC The Invitational at Randwick, Demandz foaled a filly by Street Boss last year, and is due to foal this season to Darley’s Cylinder.
One of 19 stakes winners for Group 1 winner and Group 1 producing stallion Manhattan Rain, the son of Encosta de Lago is standing this season at a fee of $5,500 (inc. GST) at Western Australia's Geisel Park Stud.
