Manhattan Rain sprinter Jigsaw has capped an extraordinary comeback to the big time with a dominant victory in the G1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.
Jigsaw became the fourth elite-level winner by Geisel Park sire Manhattan Rain after defeating fellow Aussie raider Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel) in New Zealand’s premier Group 1 Sprint on Saturday
The Cindy Alderson-trained short-course specialist crossed the Tasman following a spring hat-trick in the Apache Cat Classic (1200m) at Cranbourne, G2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley and $1million The Meteorite (1200m) back on home turf at Cranbourne.
With Alderson’s former Kiwi-born apprentice Logan Bates aboard, Jigsaw speared across from a wide gate to sit outside Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) before dropping the favourite at the furlong. He has now won 13 races from 37 starts for Alderson who has kept faith with the gelding despite a frustrating two-year stretch in the doldrums.
“I can’t pinpoint any reason for his resurgence other than a lovely spell and the fact he’s regained his confidence,” Alderson said. “I’ve been really pleased with him since arriving here last Sunday. He settled in well at Donna Logan’s stables at Byerley Park and clocked 35.65s in a 600m gallop on Tuesday morning. That was all he needed to do on top of the trip over.”
Logan Bates celebrates a Group 1 triumph aboard Jigsaw Photo: Megan Liefting (Race Images)
Jigsaw (7g Manhattan Rain – Demandz by Lonhro) commenced his career with a debut win in a Geelong 2yo nursery and kept progressing to claim black-type victories as a 4yo in the LR Doveton Stakes, LR Christmas Stakes, LR Hareeba Stakes and G2 Australia Stakes before going MIA.
“What a beautiful horse,” Bates said. “You wouldn’t think he was a 7yo gelding to come back like this and get better and better. When I gave him a squeeze he ranged up to Alabama Lass and gave me an unbelievable kick.
“I remember before I even started riding, Cindy and I had a conversation and she said one of her greatest achievements would be to see me win a Group 1 and it would be even better if it was in her colours for the Alderson family. Now we’ve done it and it means everything to come back home and have Mum and Dad here, too.”
Geisel Park is gearing up for a busy lead-in to the Perth Magic Millions on February 19 and 20. There are 15 lots including the Manhattan Rain -Troodles colt (Lot 294) who is the first foal of a three-quarter sister to the dam of Champion Australian Sprinter Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai).
The first crop of Geisel Park’s Moonee Valley LR Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) winner Aysar (Deep Field) will take precedence and buyers will also focus on lots by Champion sire Playing God and in-form stallions Maschino and Sessions.
