Strong late-season form has encouraged Cranbourne trainer Cindy Alderson to chase a breakthrough Group 1 victory, with Jigsaw set to contest the Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Alderson, who previously trained in partnership with her father Colin before going solo in 2016, will saddle her first international runner when the seven-year-old gelding heads across the Tasman.
The decision follows a barnstorming end to 2025, capped by Jigsaw’s victory in the $1 million The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne.
“There has been a lot of rain,” Alderson said, though she expects conditions to improve by race day.
“He travelled really well and he lost about seven kilos on the trip over but he probably had that to spare as he had put a little bit on after The Meteorite.
“He is bright and happy and he worked really nicely at Ellerslie on Tuesday morning.”
Alderson said the gelding’s late-season surge convinced her to roll the dice on a Group 1 assignment.
“We had a fabulous run and after he won the (Listed) McEwan Stakes in October, I had this race earmarked for him as it put him back up in the weight scale and after winning The Meteorite we were even more confident and positive to give it a go.”
Jigsaw will be partnered by regular rider Logan Bates, who is also chasing his first Group 1 victory after recently riding multiple winners in Victoria.
Markets are already active for the Railway Stakes, with early interest available through leading Australian betting sites.
The post Alderson’s big leap for another career piece with Jigsaw first appeared on Just Horse Racing.