Jigsaw puzzle fits for Aldersons

Written by Jackson Frantz

Lynne Alderson’s decision to retain and breed handy race mare Demandz (NZ) (Lonhro) could see daughter Cindy add a well-earned Group success to her individual training resume at Caulfield on Saturday.

Alderson stakes claim to three Group victories in partnership with her father Colin, however, the feat has eluded the Cranbourne-based horsewoman since officially taking the Alderson Racing reins in early 2016.

She will saddle up Demandz's second foal and her stable flagbearer, Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain), in Saturday’s G2 McCafe Caulfield Sprint after a decision was made to bypass Wednesday’s G3 Blue Sapphire S. at Caulfield.

“I felt like Saturday’s race will suit him better, there’s more speed engaged than what there was on Wednesday even with the presence of Profiteer,” Alderson told TDN AusNZ.

“So, I’m hoping that with a bit of speed on he can hit the line a little better than he did down the straight (when finishing fifth) the other day in the (Listed) Poseidon (S.).”

Success on Saturday against credentialled opposition, including Enthaar (Written Tycoon), Oxley Road (Exceed And Excel) and General Beau (Brazen Beau) would mark Jigsaw’s first stakes victory.

The talented colt was narrowly denied when finishing 0.2l second in the Listed McKenzie S. at Moonee Valley in August.

He also boasts a third placing in February’s G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings) at Caulfield.

“He got bitten by something the other week which resulted in hives and made things a bit tricky but he’s recovered well and is up to the mark,” Alderson said.

“He’s been up a while now but he’s showing no signs of flagging, he’s very bright and well in himself, his coat is brilliant and I can’t fault him.”

Coolmore run no certainty

Alderson isn’t fixated on running Jigsaw in next fortnight’s stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington, saying she will be guided by what he produces on Saturday.

Jigsaw will jump from barrier five of 12 and is to be ridden by Michael Dee in the 1000-metre contest.

“He’d want to run a pretty strong race on Saturday to warrant going to the Coolmore but it’s always difficult to work out where all these horses sit in the scheme of things,” Alderson said.

“I felt he was a little bit strong through the bridle with blinkers on last start and that’s why we’ve taken them off and dropped him back in trip.

“So, hopefully with the strong early tempo he can finish the race off strong and show that we’re heading in the right direction.”

Dam demands attention

Demandz, a winner of three races across a 13-start career with New Zealand trainer Lisa Anderson before joining the Aldersons, is currently striking at a 100 per cent runners to winners ratio.

Her first foal, Zee Hoarder (Zebedee {GB}), a 5-year-old gelding has saluted on one occasion for Alderson and was last seen finishing seventh at Pakenham in March.

Jigsaw’s Listed Tasmanian Oaks placed half-sister Queen Adele (Adelaide {Ire}) is set to campaign over the summer months after pleasing Alderson in two recent Cranbourne jump outs.

The lightly raced mare has added a BM64 victory to her record since finishing second behind Chequerboard (Fastnet Rock) in the aforementioned Oaks.

“She doesn’t have the same brilliance as him (Jigsaw), she’s more a dour type of mare but she’s pretty honest and while that Tasmanian Oaks placing looks to be her peak, she could always go higher you never know,” Alderson said.

Demandz foaled a Foxwedge filly this season after losing a colt last year and missing in 2019.

“I haven’t seen her yet as she was born in New South Wales but by all accounts, she’s a really nice strong filly, I’m quite excited and happy to hear that she had a Foxwedge filly rather than a colt as the fillies have been better to date,” Alderson said.

“However, Foxwedge is quite an underrated stallion because he hasn’t had those standouts consistently but when you go to him you know what you’re getting, and he can produce good Group-class horse at a value price.”

The success of Jigsaw and Queen Adele will see Demandz covered by young Newgate Farm stallion Brutal (NZ) this season.

“At this stage we will sell that foal and we’ve hopefully tried to make it a bit more commercial because as much as I love Foxwedge you only get a decent price at the sales,” Alderson said.

“Brutal physically is a lovely match for the mare (Demandz) and we now hope for a striking foal.”

Demandz is out of New Zealand Listed winner and G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. fourth placegetter Loaded Commands (NZ) (Commands).

This is the family of G1 Stradbroke H. winner Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force).

Veranskova ready to step up

Meanwhile, Veranskova (Written Tycoon), another Lynne Alderson homebred, is poised to realise her true potential, according to Cindy Alderson.

The lightly raced mare has amassed $93,750 in prizemoney across seven starts and was unlucky when finishing 2l sixth in at Flemington last month.

Alderson has earmarked next month’s Listed Black Pearl S. at Geelong as Veranskova’s likely next start.

“She’s a lovely mare but her biggest issue is staying sound, she’s a big mare who hits the ground hard and comes from a family, on the dam side that aren’t renowned for their soundness,” Alderson said.

“She hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to learn her craft as she’s had issues, but the ability is there and she’s a city class maybe Listed-level horse, it’s just whether she fully capitalises on her ability on the racetrack.”

Veranskova is out of the Listed Moomba Plate-winning, G3 Jansz S. third placegetter Kirvinsky (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), who herself was trained by Alderson.

Kirvinsky is a half-sister to the New Zealand Group 1-placed Kalamata (NZ) (Desert Prince {Ire}), who is responsible for G3 SAJC Sires’ Produce S.-winning and G1 Goodwood H. third placegetter Stirling Grove (Mossman).

This is also the family of this year’s G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Bon’s A Pearla (Bon Hoffa).