Clayton Douglas has taken a strategic route with his star sprinter Giga Kick, bypassing earlier targets to resume in this weekend’s The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville — and the conditions couldn’t suit him better.

The $1 million Group 1 is run under set weights and penalties, and because Giga Kick has not recorded a win since the 2023 Doomben 10,000, he’ll line up with just 54.5kg on his back — a clear advantage over topweight mares like Charm Stone and Climbing Star.

“That’s serious form for a Goodwood,” Douglas said.

“He’s meeting Group 3 winners, as a Group 1 winner, on level weights and he meets the three-year-olds at level weights.

“It just wouldn’t happen in any other race. Even at weight-for-age level we’d be giving them four and five kilos, so we’re just so well weighted.

“He’s still got to go out and do it, absolutely, and it’s been a while between runs but, in saying that, it’s been well-thought-out and I’m pretty happy with where we’ve got him.”

Last seen finishing seventh in the Champions Sprint, Giga Kick’s earlier spring form — including a narrow second in The Everest — shows he remains among the elite.

Jumpouts at Mornington and Balnarring have brought him on well for this campaign, with Douglas eyeing a trip north next for the Kingsford Smith Cup.

“That was pretty much it, but also it’s going to be more well-set-up for the Spring, too,” Douglas said.

“He’s going to have a couple of nice runs, I’m going to be a little bit later (spelling), so then I’ll have that nice residual fitness going into the spring.”

With Mark Zahra making the effort to ride at 54.5kg from barrier 12, Giga Kick heads betting as the $2.25 favourite in a field of 13.

Get the best value on Giga Kick and the full Morphettville card with exclusive promos and odds from our top-rated betting sites.