Jigsar ready to go in 2026 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie
Confidence is high in the Cindy Alderson camp as Jigsaw prepares to step onto the biggest stage of his career in the Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.
The Cranbourne-based trainer has elected to send the seven-year-old gelding to New Zealand following a superb end to his Australian campaign.
Jigsaw comes into the Group 1 contest off three consecutive wins, the latest being the $1 million The Meteorite at Cranbourne.
“There has been a lot of rain,” Alderson said, though she remains confident conditions will suit.
“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.”
The trainer said the gelding’s recent form convinced her the timing was right to aim at a Group 1.
“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.”
Logan Bates retains the ride, with the young jockey also chasing his first Group 1 success after a strong recent run in Victoria.
Early odds for the Railway Stakes are available across major Australian wagering sites ahead of Saturday’s feature.
The post Alderson’s big leap for another career piece with Jigsaw first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Back-to-back South Australian Derby success for trainer Phillip Stokes
Phillip Stokes, the dual state trainer, has secured the South Australian Derby at Morphettville for the second year running with an unexpected long-priced runner.Wigmore, in his second race for Stokes following Femminile's $19 upset last season, powered home at $41 in Saturday's 2518m three-year-old Classic.Jockey Teo Nugent notched his second...
Golden Mile victory delivers redemption for Von Hauke
The Golden Mile from last year ranks among the races trainer Cliff Brown wishes to forget in Von Hauke's resume, and briefly on Saturday, he anticipated the 2026 renewal might end up similarly archived.Yet, differing from the prior occasion where the consistently hard-luck gelding was blocked for most of the...
Victorian mare Splash Back shines in Eagle Farm Victory Stakes
Splash Back, the Victorian mare, has her sights set on the Group One Tattersall's Tiara after overshadowing a host of top sprinters to claim victory in the Victory Stakes held at Eagle Farm.Having won the Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley in springtime, Splash Back at $8.50 had settled midfield to...
Bendigo Guineas provides Jordan Childs with latest feature score
While it lacked the $1 million Group 1 status, Jordan Childs relished continuing his hot streak from last weekend by securing a further feature success at Bendigo this Saturday.The sharp jockey captured the initial Black Type race on Bendigo's Golden Mile program by joining forces with filly Gold Coast Belle,...
Snowden's Hawkesbury dominance grows via Zealously Gold Rush success
The trainer Peter Snowden maintains his exceptional bond with the standalone Hawkesbury race day, notching the Gold Rush to his collection of standout wins through the capable speedster Zealously.From the program's early days, Snowden has been a regular and boasts seven successes in the Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) plus five in...
Hawkesbury Gold Cup goes to Churchill's Choice
Nathan Doyle, the trainer, felt both thrill and ease after his charge Churchill's Choice triumphed close to the extreme outside barrier."She has been a frustrating mare as she's always had the ability but hasn't won one of these stakes races,'' Doyle said."But she's got that good win now and I'm...
Rural star Chidiac triumphs in Hawkesbury Crown
The Country Championships Final champion Chidiac has adeptly stepped up to stakes level, securing a determined narrow victory in the Group Three Hawkesbury Crown.This feat gifted young rider Braith Nock his 300th professional success and an initial double on the isolated card after prevailing on Bella Khadijah in the Midway...
Hawkesbury Guineas romp catapults Skyhook into Stradbroke Handicap picture
The classy Skyhook demonstrated his superiority and thrust himself into Stradbroke Handicap contention with an impressive lead-all-the-way triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) at Hawkesbury.Jockey Josh Parr flawlessly implemented the tactics set by trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, as the striking chestnut controlled the race wire-to-wire...
Golden Straand triumphs once more, set for stakes challenge
Exciting short-course runner Golden Straand has extended his hot streak, positioning himself firmly for a stakes-grade test after a commanding performance at Hawkesbury this Saturday.Positioned midfield early on, Nash Rawiller swung the turn sharply and the robust four-year-old entire accelerated strongly to dominate the Blakes Marine Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).Matthew...
Debut win for Marffiano in Bendigo's VOBIS Gold Rush
On Saturday, Lindsay Park extended their control over Bendigo's Golden Mile richest race as the Hayes brothers fielded the talented Marffiano to capture the VOBIS Gold Rush.Marffiano, half-brother to Tycoon Star, sealed a Lindsay Park one-two by overcoming Resonant in the $250,000 two-year-old feature, which also includes $30,000 VOBIS bonuses.Ben,...