After years of Sydney spring campaigns, Giga Kick will start his preparation closer to home when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Trainer Clayton Douglas has become synonymous with The Everest in recent years, winning the race with Giga Kick in 2022 and finishing second in 2023 before injury ended the gelding’s title defence. Now, the six-year-old begins a new path — one that could see him race deeper into summer.
“Normally he’d kick off earlier in the spring, but we’re a bit later this time,” Douglas said. “He’s had one trial, but he’s forward enough to be running really well. His pattern is to get off the speed and finish strong, and there should be good pace in this race which will help him.”
With The Everest off the agenda, Douglas said he can map out a longer and more flexible campaign for his star sprinter. Options include the McEwen Stakes on Cox Plate Day, the Champions Sprint at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week, and the C.F. Orr Stakes early next year.
“Being a 115-rater, he’s really well in under the weight-for-age scale,” Douglas said. “Not being tied down to The Everest lets us do something different — and maybe being the fresh horse on the scene will be an advantage.”
Douglas said Giga Kick has come back stronger and more mature, noting that his body has changed significantly since his early career.
“He didn’t have long off after winter, and he’s a horse that carries his problems, but he’s free in his action and I’m really happy with how he’s going,” Douglas said. “He’s just under 550 kilos now — he was only 480 when he won The Everest. It’s incredible how much he’s matured.”
Douglas hopes that added strength will translate into another big-race win later this spring.
“We’ve been close in the Champions Sprint before, and it’s one we’d love to tick off,” he said. “He’s fit, he’s forward, and I think he’s ready to run well on Saturday.”
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