Jigsaw a Threat in The Valley's McKenzie Stakes

Unable to contest last week's Gr3 Vain Stakes after sustaining a small injury, trainer Cindy Alderson feels all is back on track with her talented 3YO Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain-Demandz, by Lonhro) with the colt set to line up in Saturday's Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley where he has drawn the outside barrier in the nine-horse field. "He hit his head in the box on Friday," Alderson told racing.com. "He gave it a bit of a whack, it doesn't look that serious, he whacked it right on top of the sinus bone and there was a bit of discharge coming out of his nose and I just thought 'Look, I won't take the risk', but I'm pretty sure he's OK." Resuming in late June, the then 2YO won comfortably by two lengths before going down narrowly at his next start as a short-priced favourite, and while the Gr3-placed colt is currently the race favourite, he is sure to not get it all his own way. Also accepting at black type level at Randwick, the Hawkes Racing-trained Hilal (Fastnet Rock-Salma, by Encosta de Lago) is the logical threat, and with multiple Gr1-placed efforts at 2, a win by the exciting colt would only further enhance his stallion appeal for owners Emirates Park. Not necessarily known for its stallion producing traits, it is worth noting that the last time Team Hawkes saddled up the winner of the race, that colt - Brutal (O'Reilly) - went on to win the Gr1 Doncaster Handicap before retiring to Newgate Farm.