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Trainer Clayton Douglas maintains mystery Melbourne three-year-old Giga Kick can measure up against some of the world's best sprinters in the $15m The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick next week.
The inclusion of Giga Kick in The Everest came as a surprise with slot-holder James Harron announcing on Tuesday morning he had negotiated a deal with owner Jonathon Munz to run the unbeaten galloper.
But Douglas said the key to Giga Kick is his professionalism and revealed the exciting young sprinter has trained on well since winning the Group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington last Saturday.
"He has done everything right to this point, he has the right attitude and right demeanour,'' Douglas said.
"We are under no illusions, The Everest is an unbelievable race but he has shown us that he has a lot of quality.
"Three-year-olds do have a good record in the race and he seems to be able to do things that other horses don't do.''
Douglas added Giga Kick has also had experience galloping the Sydney way of going and is a very versatile sprinter who can be ridden anywhere in a race.
Giga Kick has won his four starts and becomes the first unbeaten sprinter to contest The Everest.
Harron told News Corp Giga Kick had been "on his radar" in recent weeks and he took careful note of the chestnut's fighting win in the Danehill Stakes.
But it was the confidence champion jockey Craig Williams had in Giga Kick that finally convinced Harron to swoop on the young sprinter.
"Craig is very bullish about Giga Kick and believes he can be competitive in The Everest,'' Harron said.
"He has already taken The Everest ride on the horse even though he could have stayed in Melbourne to ride in the Caulfield Cup.
"I've also done business with Jonathon over the years and we raced (multiple Group 1 winner) King's Legacy together. I know Jonathon also has a lot of belief in Giga Kick so it's a good fit for everyone.''
Williams holds Giga Kick in very high regard having ridden the gelding to successive wins in the Vain Stakes and Danehill Stakes this spring.
"If you are ever going to go to war, you would like him on your side because he loves to compete and loves to have his nose in front,'' Williams told racing.com earlier this week.
Giga Kick is the 10th sprinter into The Everest field and joins fellow three-year-old Jacquinot taking on the older horses.
Yes Yes Yes is the only three-year-old to win The Everest, smashing the Randwick 1200m track reord to win the race three years ago.
Harron, who selected inaugural The Everest winner Redzel in 2017, conceded it was a relief to finally land on his Everest runner.
"It's been a tough process this year but I'm excited to have Giga Kick in The Everest,'' Harron said.
Copy: Racenet