Star Australian sprinters Jigsaw and Arkansaw Kid loom as the biggest obstacles to champion New Zealand mare Alabama Lass claiming Saturday’s (24 January) G1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in Auckland, New Zealand.

The front-running trio are each chasing a maiden Group 1 victory.

Alabama Lass, who will again be ridden by champion Australian jockey Craig Williams, started favourite in last year’s Railway Stakes but lost out by 0.1L to Crocetti, who is among Saturday’s 13 runners.

The Ken & Bev Kelso-trained mare hasn’t raced since the 2025 G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on 26 September when she led and faded to finish last.

With six wins and four seconds, it was the first time she was unplaced in 11 starts.

Ken Kelso said the mare underwent thorough veterinary examinations on returning to New Zealand, but nothing was detected to explain her uncharacteristic 9.6-length defeat.

Alabama Lass has since had an exhibition gallop in between races at Te Aroha, and was beaten a nose by another of Saturday’s runners, Sterling Express, in an 1100m trial at Ellerslie on 11 January.

Kelso said he is happy with the mare and what went wrong in the Manikato Stakes remains a mystery, especially after she finished a narrow second at the same track in the G1 Moir Stakes (1000m).

“Her work has been very good and she has got a nice barrier (five) and the only concern would be the weather at this stage,” Kelso said.

“It’s been pouring down rain in Auckland, but it’s supposed to clear up on Friday (23 January) and Saturday. But she has a nice draw and I’m happy with her and Craig Williams rides.”

With Arkansaw Kid (barrier eight) expected to take a sit behind the front-running Jigsaw, who has drawn barrier 10, Kelso said Alabama Lass doesn’t necessarily have to lead but he will leave the tactics to Williams.

The Hayes brothers, Ben, Will & JD, had Group 1 success in New Zealand in 2025 when Here To Shock won the G1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m).

Ben Hayes said Arkansaw Kid was a very good Group 2 horse in Australia, and although he is competitive in Group 1 races, he always finds one better.

“We thought it is a great opportunity to try and win a Group 1 with him,” Hayes said.

Melbourne trainer Cindy Alderson said that Jigsaw has undergone an amazing resurrection; winless since April of 2023, he has won his past three races, including a Group 2 victory at Moonee Valley prior to defeating Arkansaw Kid in the lucrative The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne last start on 22 November.

Apprentice jockey Logan Bates, who has ridden Jigsaw in his past three victories and to wins in two recent jump-outs, is again on board on Saturday.

Alderson said that when Jigsaw is in the zone, he races like he is invincible.

“He is like that now,” she said. “But when it all turns to clay, he becomes a clay horse. It might be a bit unfair because he has won 12 races and has raced from two to seven and has won every preparation bar his six-year-old year.”

Alderson said she expects Jigsaw, who led in his past three races, to be challenged in front.

“Racing right-handed, the trip away and the possibility of a slightly rain-affected track are all things we cannot ascertain how he is going to deal with,” she said. “But the indications are that he has really settled in well.”

The Railway Stakes is carded as S2-6 and will be run at 2.28pm (Hong Kong time) on Saturday, 24 January.