Jigsaw Emerges as Clear Favourite for $5 Million BYD Quokka at Ascot
Winning machine Jigsaw has solidified his position as the outright favourite for Saturday's prestigious $5 million BYD Quokka (1200m) at Ascot, with his odds firming to $4.20 after initially being bet at as high as $5.50. This Victorian galloper, who faced a career crossroads before a remarkable resurgence under trainer Cindy Alderson, has captured attention with an impressive streak of six consecutive victories.
Remarkable Resurgence and Recent Form
Jigsaw's journey to favouritism is nothing short of extraordinary. The seven-year-old horse has won each of his last six starts, including notable Group 1 triumphs in New Zealand's Railway Stakes and Melbourne's William Reid Stakes, both over 1200 metres. Despite a long campaign, Jigsaw appeared in excellent health during Tuesday's barrier draw, where he ran riot up the Ascot home straight and clocked quick sectionals, leaving onlookers impressed in his final hit-out before the weekend's high-stakes race.
Cindy Alderson, his trainer, expressed amazement at his sustained performance. "It's quite remarkable at his age that he's still going like this," she said. "He's showing no real signs of slowing down - his work on Tuesday was amazing - so, hopefully, he does it again. He's been a healthy horse his whole life and that's helped him stay sound and keep racing for this long. It's been a fabulous journey and I'm very lucky to have him."
Alderson's Training Success and Personal Legacy
Alderson, who operates on a smaller scale as a trainer, has achieved significant success with her limited lineup. Recently, she trained Logam to a maiden victory at Cranbourne on Friday evening, with odds of $3.10. Reflecting on her opportunities with Jigsaw, she shared, "To have all these opportunities with this horse and to come here and be able to compete in WA's biggest race with a horse that's done so much for my career, it's incredible. I think it means a lot to everybody over here to have some nice horses over here and really spice up the competition."
Taught by her training father, Colin Alderson, who campaigned horses in Western Australia before the turn of the millennium, a win in the BYD Quokka would serve as a crowning glory for Cindy. She took out her trainers' licence in 1990, and this achievement would further recognise her father's legacy. "I'm not a crier, but I might get there one day," Alderson remarked emotionally.
Market Movements and Competitor Odds
In the betting markets, other contenders have seen shifts in their odds. Caballus and Rey Magnerio, who were once joint favourites with Jigsaw, have both eased from $4.60 to $5 for the Quokka. Meanwhile, Smooth Chino has been specked at odds from $10 to $8, and another local hope, Luana Miss, has drifted from $6.50 to $9. These movements highlight the dynamic nature of the race and the strong confidence in Jigsaw's current form.
The BYD Quokka promises to be a thrilling event, with Jigsaw leading the charge as the firm favourite, backed by his stellar track record and the dedicated training of Cindy Alderson.
