Giga Kick Fitter For Premiere Stakes

Mornington trainer Clayton Douglas is confident star sprinter Giga Kick is where he needs to be to stand up and showcase his Everest credentials when he runs for the second time this spring in the Premiere Stakes.

Giga Kick made his race return from a year off the scene when he ran fifth in the G3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on September 7, finishing three-lengths off the winner I Am Me.

Douglas has given the 2022 Everest winner four weeks between runs heading to the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick second-up on Saturday, and the sprinter turned in an eye-catching barrier trial at Canterbury last Tuesday as part of his preparation towards that race.

“It was always the plan to give him a month between runs and the trial, and his fitness is really good now,” Douglas said.

“Obviously it’s not too far from The Everest so he needs to be fairly tuned up for (the Premiere Stakes) and we’ve started to really tighten him up. You can tell, physically, the horse has done really well and he looks really good in himself.

“He’s nice and fit and forward. I’m expecting a forward showing in the Premiere. He really needs to put his hand up and say that he’s ready to go for two weeks time.”

Giga Kick is still without a confirmed slot in The Everest, which it two weeks after the Premiere, on October 19 at Randwick.

Douglas anticipates if the gelding can perform to expectations in the Premiere, he can earn a place in the rich sprint two weeks later.

“Hopefully he does the talking and puts his hand up for the spot,” Douglas said.

“But he’s in really good order. He wasn’t beaten far first-up off a long break. He’s had another trial and he goes to the 1200m.”

Douglas said Giga Kick’s record over 1200m was ‘phenomenal’.

His four starts over the distance include wins in the 2022 Everest and 2023 G1 Doomben 10,000, a second placing to I Wish I Win in the 2023 G1 TJ Smith Stakes and a close 5th in a G1 VRC Sprint at the end of his spring three-year-old campaign.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Douglas said.

“I can’t wait to see him step up in trip second-up and hopefully he can do me proud.”

Douglas said jockey James McDonald, who will ride Giga Kick in the Premiere, was impressed with the five-year-old’s Canterbury trial over 901m, when Giga Kick settled back in the field before sprinting home down the outside in the straight to narrowly win the heat.

“That was a nice hit-out for him on Tuesday at Canterbury and James gave him a glowing report again,” Douglas said.

“He attacked the line nicely.

“He was able to get on a good surface and it was good to be able to see him settle off the speed and chase down the leaders as hard as he did.”

– racing.com

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