Jigsaw has always been a bold front-runner, but at seven years of age he has somehow found a new peak. Today at Cranbourne he confirmed he is in career best order, stretching his winning streak to three by taking out the $1 million Meteorite in trademark catch-me-if-you-can style.
It capped a remarkable resurgence. After winning the McEwen Stakes at The Valley last start, Jigsaw arrived at his home track full of confidence and rolled straight to the top again. Arkansaw Kid was brave in second, making it a quinella for the frontrunners, but he never looked like getting near Jigsaw. Nothing did.
The Meteorite | Jigsaw
It’s a local win in The Meteorite! ☄️ Jigsaw runs his opposition into submission, burning the turf from the front as he loves to do 🧩
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/xCZQaAcz5O— Racing.com (@Racing) November 22, 2025
For trainer Cindy Alderson, it was a moment layered with history and emotion. The Alderson name is part of the fabric of Cranbourne racing. Cindy’s father, Colin, was instrumental in shaping the training precinct into the powerhouse it is today and received an AO for his service to the industry. To win a million dollar race on their home track meant everything.
“I can’t really believe it to be honest, especially with everyone around me today. My dad’s here, so is my mum, my sister and her children. It’s a real family affair. That’s how we got started in the game. Logan is like family to me, he’s been with me all along and all my staff are like family, so it’s a really proud moment.”
Alderson said the turnaround from last preparation to this one came from a deep, much-needed break.
“He did have a lovely spell and I think that got him back in really great shape. He’s enjoying himself, he’s got his confidence right up. He and Logan are the new combination. It’s such a thrill. I’d like to thank Moonee Valley for getting him here. Their colours look pretty good. It’s just a great day and one I will remember.”
A key part of Jigsaw’s revival has been young jockey Logan Bates, the apprentice Alderson has mentored from childhood. His ride today showed poise well beyond his years, controlling the race despite knowing every rival would be taking aim at him.
“He is unbelievable. You talk about this horse being in rare form, for a boy, that has a claim still, to be able to ride a race like that when he was going to be the hunted, and each time someone has a go at him, he’s handled it. He just knows him (Jigsaw) so well.”
The pair have previously toyed with stretching Jigsaw out in distance, but Alderson made clear the gelding would stick to 1200m and they wouldn’t press on to the 1400m of the Supernova on Pakenham Cup Day.
“I don’t know about that. We did try that (1400m) once before. I think we’ll stay in our wheelhouse from now on.”
For Bates, the victory will take time to process. The moment, the race, the crowd and the family significance were all part of a whirlwind he was still absorbing after pulling up.
“It’s not going to sink in for a while. You get a sense of confidence riding this horse. You just know what he’s going to do and he’s gone from strength to strength this preparation.”
“All credit goes to Cindy and the whole staff at home. They’ve done a massive job, given their time to get over what he did last prep and to bring him back and have the confidence to keep him going. He was made to work a bit early but I still think we got it soft enough and we were ramp(ing) it up on the corner and it was able to (deliver) an unbelievable gallop around the corner and that’s where he breaks them open. To the horse’s credit he kept digging and digging when they challenged and held them at bay. He pricked his ears coming back, so he was pretty happy.”
Arkansaw Kid loomed like the challenger at the top of the straight, but Bates always felt he had it covered.
“I felt I dropped them cold on the corner, but he came back and my horse just kept fighting. I was always confident and the more I asked of him the more he kept giving back to me. It was a super effort.”
The victory also meant the world personally. Bates has been shaped by the Alderson family and made a point of acknowledging their impact.
“She has been huge for my career. She picked me up when I was a little kid who didn’t know what was left or right. She guided me in the right direction and has stuck by me. The whole Alderson family has as well, Colin, Lynne, and to experience that with them, is amazing.”
On a day that celebrated family, legacy and a horse reborn, Jigsaw delivered a performance that will sit proudly in Cranbourne’s history. At seven years old, he is proving that experience, confidence and a perfect partnership can take a sprinter to new heights.
