Trainer Cindy Alderson aims at back-to-back Hareeba Stakes with Jigsaw

Trainer Cindy Alderson concedes this year’s race is a much different affair to the Hareeba Stakes that Jigsaw won last year … but that hasn’t dented her confidence.

Jigsaw won the Listed Hareeba Stakes last year. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Trainer Cindy Alderson is wary of the “newer, fresher blood” Jigsaw faces in a bid for back-to-back Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington.

Jigsaw is a $8.50 with TAB to win the sprint feature on Saturday behind talented three-year-old Maharba ($5.50), Group 3-winner Grand Impact ($5.50) and the locally-trained veteran The Inferno ($8).

The Inferno was runner-up last year behind Jigsaw, who led and dictated a nine-horse field.

The Hareeba has attracted 15 entries this year.

"It's the real Jigsaw today!"

Jigsaw returns to his best in the Listed Hareeba! 🧩@AldersonRacing@daniel_moorpic.twitter.com/5fKjpXL3uu

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 22, 2023

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“It’s a different race, a different complexion,” Alderson said.

“There’s newer, fresher blood (in the race), it makes his job difficult but I was very happy with his last run, and certainly he’s capable.

“There’s a few in it going all right, Maharba goes well, Pintoff is going well, it’s not an easy race. Last year he had a field of nine and he pretty much dominated it.”

Jigsaw has not won in five starts since the Hareeba last year, but has been around the mark.

The five-year-old frontrunner, drawn barrier five on Saturday, finished fifth last start in the Country Discovery at Yarra Valley, beaten less than a length.

He meets Savannah Cloud ($13) at level weights 60kg this time around, having given the winner 2kg last start.

What a finish 😱

Savannah Cloud sticks his neck out on the line to take out The Country Discovery 👏@pstokesracingpic.twitter.com/P3GB06s8w8

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 29, 2024

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“He’s in good form and he deserves to carry the weight, because he has won the races, you can’t have your cake and eat it too,” Alderson said.

Jigsaw carried 60kg to victory last year after he rocketed up the ratings with four wins from five preceding starts.

Jigsaw has pleased Alderson and jockey Ethan Brown in work since the Good Friday race.

“He’s always worked well, he’s never worked poorly this horse, it’s hard to line him up (at home) he’s a bit of a star track worker,” Alderson said.

“He looks well, Ethan has ridden him a couple times and he thinks he’s going well, it will just be the way the race pans out for him on the day.”

Originally published as Trainer Cindy Alderson aims at back-to-back Hareeba Stakes with Jigsaw