Expat Kiwi jockey Logan Bates returned home to record his biggest moment in racing when scoring his first elite-level success aboard Jigsaw in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The 24-year-old hoop has been making a name for himself in Victoria under the tutelage of his employer Cindy Alderson, who trains Jigsaw, and he was rapt to bring up the milestone in her silks.
“It means everything,” Bates said. “I remember before I even started riding, Cindy and I had a conversation and she said one of her greatest achievements would be to see me win a Group One and the comment at the end was that it would be even better if it was in her colours for the Alderson family, and we have done it.”
Bates has formed a formidable partnership with Jigsaw, having won their previous three starts before heading to New Zealand, including the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) and A$1 million Meteorite (1200m), and Bates said the seven-year-old gelding his belying his age.
“What a beautiful horse,” he said. “You wouldn’t think he was a seven-year-old gelding to come back like this and get better and better. Every day I ride him going this way (right-handed) and all the work that we have done with him I just grew in confidence.”
The pair sat outside pacemaker Alabama Lass for most of the journey and when Bates asked his charge the question down the home straight he immediately responded, kicking clear to score by three-quarters of a length over fellow Australian raider Arkansaw Kid.
“The plan was either to lead if it was there or if they were rolling along at a tempo where he was happy in his rhythm,” Bates said. “When I gave him a squeeze and he ranged up to Alabama Lass, he grew with confidence and gave me an unbelievable kick.”
Bates had plenty of support in the crowd, with his mother Kylie Williams, who had ridden earlier in the card, and his father, former jockey Jamie Bates, both cheering him home.
“There are so many people to thank. I have got Mum and Dad here, my partner, my good mate Jake, and to do it for Cindy is just unreal,” he said.
“It was like it was meant to be, to come back to where I grew up in New Zealand. Even his (Jigsaw) mother was from New Zealand. Coming here and racing on one of the best days here and taking out one of their bigger Group Ones in the Railway is just incredible.”
Williams was beaming with pride following the win, and she was delighted to be trackside to share in the moment with her child.
“I couldn’t get a Group One, but I produced one,” she quipped.
“He knows this horse inside and out. To see them accomplish it together, and for Cindy, is awesome.
“It is good to see him grow and mature into such a professional young man. I am very proud of him.”
The win capped a great day for Bates, who bookended the six-race card, having ridden the Margaret Falconer-trained Moschino to victory in the HKJC World Pool Jo Giles Stakes (1400m).