Can Jigsaw and Logan Bates do it again in The Quokka?

[Chief Stipe]

Part of the puzzle: Alderson unperturbed by Quokka barrier - Racenet

www.racenet.com.au

Born-again sprinter Jigsaw will jump from the outside gate in Saturday's $5 million The Quokka at Ascot – and trainer Cindy Alderson is just fine with that. https://bitofayarn.com

Jigsaw and Alderson are on the ride of a lifetime, chasing an astonishing seventh consecutive feature sprint win on Saturday.

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It's been a surreal half-dozen that's included two Group 1s, winning New Zealand's Railway (1200m) and last month's William Reid Stakes (1200m), plus the $1m Meteorite (1200m) in November.

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On paper, barrier 13 in The Quokka (1200m) seems awkward but it's exactly how Jigsaw has won his past two races, dominating March's VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) from barrier 7 of 7 before leading all the way from barrier 11 of 11 last start in the William Reid.

"We've drawn close to the outside gate in his last four starts and he's won them all," Alderson, who trains at Cranbourne, said.

"I'd be silly to say it's affected him. Everyone makes a big deal about barriers, and the problem with them is you can't impact what they are.

"He's jumped from that gate before and won, so we're just going to have to hope he's good enough to do it again."

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Logan Bates (blue cap, sleeves) celebrates as he rides Jigsaw to victory in the William Reid Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

• Saganti suited by southern switch ahead of Mornington Cup tilt https://bitofayarn.com

Doing it again, and again, is exactly what the son of Manhattan Rain has done in the past six months.

Alderson has "loved every one" of Jigsaw's wins since last October – and he just keeps surprising her.

"They've all been really good wins, for different reasons each time – you're just continually amazed that he keeps lifting the bar," she said.

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"Each time you think ‘surely he can't go any better', it's quite astounding for a horse to be doing what he's doing at his age.

"(A) seven-year-old, rising eight, he's put together six wins in pretty good races – it's been quite amazing.

"People keep asking me what I'm doing different. I say, ‘well, not really anything'.

"He's come into his own, his confidence has soared, he's really clicked with Logan (Bates), they are the only tangibles I can put my finger on."

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January's Railway win delivered apprentice jockey Bates, and Alderson, their maiden Group 1 wins. Expat Kiwi Bates has won a remarkable six from seven on Jigsaw and will again pilot on Saturday.

• Final field and barriers: The Quokka

"Logan has got the confidence in him. We're lucky that it's all coming together so nicely for us all," she said.

"He was maligned a bit when he was a younger horse, a few times they expected him to do better.

"These days, I don't think anyone doubts his courage, tenacity and desire to get the job done.

"His best win from that perspective was the William Reid. Charm Stone looked like she headed him and he just fought her off.

"I was very proud of his effort that day. It was probably what tipped me to coming to Perth, when he pulled up as well as he did.

"I thought well, I don't know how long he's going to keep racing for, he's in the form of his life – there's no reason to stop."

Alderson is thrilled with Jigsaw's preparation heading into the Quokka, the gelding is Alderson's first runner in Perth, and will represent Ladbrokes in its Quokka slot.

"He worked really well this morning at breakfast with the starts, I couldn't be any happier with him," Alderson said.

"I can't thank Ladbrokes enough. I'm in an incredibly fortunate position that they've come on board.

"It's really exciting to be in a slot race like this, (they are) things that you weren't expecting to be happen at this age of his life, and my life, I'm incredibly grateful for everyone that's made it happen for me."

THE QUOKKA BETTING
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | Ascot
$3.90 Caballus
$4 Jigsaw
$5.50 Rey Magnerio
$7 Luana Miss
$13 Jedibeel, Smooth Chino
$17 Rope Them In
$18 Spywire
$19 West Star
$21+ Others
Odds: TAB

[Shab]

1 of 6 leaders and only paying four bucks. Get off the grass.

[Newmarket]

Very open field…. not for me drawn that wide, but his mum would love him to win😊

[Chief Stipe]

8 hours ago, Shab said:

1 of 6 leaders and only paying four bucks. Get off the grass.

We all know that the odds will be better on the day.  BTW they are not ENTAIN odds in the article - they are TABCorp odds.

[Shab]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

We all know that the odds will be better on the day.  BTW they are not ENTAIN odds in the article - they are TABCorp odds.

4.2  $3.90 Caballus
4.0  $4 Jigsaw
4.6  $5.50 Rey Magnerio
7.5  $7 Luana Miss
13,11  $13 Jedibeel, Smooth Chino
21  $17 Rope Them In
17  $18 Spywire
21  $19 West Star
$21+ Others

Not much difference. Caballus should be ahead of Jigsaw but has same issue with speed up front. Good race

[Chief Stipe]

11 minutes ago, Shab said:

4.2  $3.90 Caballus
4.0  $4 Jigsaw
4.6  $5.50 Rey Magnerio
7.5  $7 Luana Miss
13,11  $13 Jedibeel, Smooth Chino
21  $17 Rope Them In
17  $18 Spywire
21  $19 West Star
$21+ Others

Not much difference. Caballus should be ahead of Jigsaw but has same issue with speed up front. Good race

Jedibeel has ENTAIN's slot doesn't it?

[Shab]

6 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Jedibeel has ENTAIN's slot doesn't it?

Slot shared by Perth Racing and NZ Trackside

[Shab]

On 4/15/2026 at 12:34 PM, Chief Stipe said:

Jedibeel has ENTAIN's slot doesn't it?

Disappointing promotion. They have $11 and its a $15 to $20 chance. Bonus back 2nd or 3rd is junk for such a high price runner. Back to 5th or 6th might be more interesting. Entain not interested in turnover

[Chief Stipe]

On 15/04/2026 at 6:59 PM, Shab said:

Slot shared by Perth Racing and NZ Trackside

NZ Trackside is run by ENTAIN.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Shab said:

Disappointing promotion. They have $11 and its a $15 to $20 chance. Bonus back 2nd or 3rd is junk for such a high price runner. Back to 5th or 6th might be more interesting. Entain not interested in turnover

No other agency has it more than 12's.  

[Shab]

16 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

No other agency has it more than 12's.  

Big difference 11 & 12 my world. I couldn't tip water outta bucket like GO but someone I know that has advantage of knowing what big boys like says Shab forget ya market and speed mapping its all about Jigsaw. Any blow in the price taking it

[Chief Stipe]

35 minutes ago, Shab said:

Big difference 11 & 12 my world.

Perhaps it is but both ENTAIN NZ and LADBROKES have Jedibeel at the best price now of $12. 

[Shab]

5 hours ago, Shab said:

I couldn't tip water outta bucket like GO but someone I know that has advantage of knowing what big boys like says Shab forget ya market and speed mapping its all about Jigsaw. Any blow in the price taking it

Big boys got it right again

[Chief Stipe]

5 hours ago, Shab said:

Big difference 11 & 12 my world. I couldn't tip water outta bucket like GO but someone I know that has advantage of knowing what big boys like says Shab forget ya market and speed mapping its all about Jigsaw. Any blow in the price taking it

On 15/04/2026 at 12:59 AM, Shab said:

1 of 6 leaders and only paying four bucks. Get off the grass.

But you wouldn't take it at $4?!

 

[Shab]

Jedibeel closes 15 tab and 23 exchange. Punters taking 11 or 12 look and say stuff this I’ve been taken for a ride by this lot. Get rid of this mob and run a 6% tote. Make racing great again 

[Chief Stipe]

Jigsaw and Logan Bates another big win for the season!

[Shab]

7 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

But you wouldn't take it at $4?!

 

Threw away my maps and markets. Even had some bets at 3.6. Got plenty 

[Chief Stipe]

 

 

[Chief Stipe]

 

[Newmarket]

Good tough win, never had bet in race but happy for him