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| Sumita Pawar |
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Trainer Clayton Douglas has unveiled his ambitious plan for star sprinter Giga Kick, aiming to take advantage of Racing NSW's recent financial boost and achieve the unprecedented A$30m The Everest-Golden Eagle double.
None of the horses have ever triumphed in both of Sydney's most lucrative races, Douglas is eager to make history and believes that Giga Kick possesses the greatest potential to accomplish this remarkable feat.
Douglas and his connections stand to benefit greatly from Racing NSW's recent announcement, as The TAB Everest will now offer a substantial increase in prizemoney, rising from A$15 million to A$20 million.
With the odds in his favor and a spot secured in James Harron's prestigious slot, Giga Kick, the daring sprinter, is primed to showcase his lightning-fast prowess at Royal Randwick on 14th October as the favored contender for this year's exhilarating The Everest.
Giga Kick: A Sprinting Phenomenon
Giga Kick, the bold sprinter, and offspring of Scissor Kick, not only dominates as the favored contender for Everest but also takes center stage as the leading contender for the A$10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens. With these two back-to-back races, Giga Kick is poised to race for an astonishing A$30 million in prizemoney within a mere three weeks.
In a stunning turn of events, Giga Kick defied all expectations and emerged victorious in last year's race, solidifying his position as one of the rising stars in Australian racing. His exceptional talent was further showcased in the spring season, where he triumphed in not just one, but two prestigious Group One races.
After a close defeat by I Wish I Win in the TJ Smith Stakes, Giga Kick rebounded and secured victories in the All-Aged Stakes, followed by a triumphant win in the Doomben 10,000 in May.
Trainer Clayton Douglas has confirmed that Giga Kick, the talented son of Scissor Kick, has returned to his Mornington base after a well-deserved spell. Douglas, with his sights set on the upcoming spring season, has meticulously mapped out a strategic path for his stable star.
"He will be third-up into The Everest," Douglas said.
"He will have a run in Melbourne (McEwen Stakes) and probably run in the Premiere Stakes and then into The Everest.
"That's the plan of attack for him. It's a nice path, he always seems to fire third and fourth-up and that's when he is at his best which we probably saw in the autumn as well when he won both his Group Ones, third and fourth-up.
"We will go for that plan leading into the spring and I am really excited to get him back. Hopefully we can get him there peaking on the day."
The Golden Eagle Debut: Giga Kick's Shot At Glory
Douglas stated that a determination regarding the Golden Eagle would be reached once Giga Kick, who has already accumulated nearly A$10 million in prize money, concludes his defense of Everest. Nevertheless, the promising trainer firmly believes that Giga Kick possesses the necessary abilities to contend in the Golden Eagle, despite it being his first attempt at the 1500m distance.
"That was the idea in the autumn, to try him over more of a trip, and he was obviously really good over that 1400m (winning the All Aged Stakes)," Douglas said.
"The gap of three weeks between runs will really suit him too.
"Obviously Sunlight did it a few years ago and ran really well in the Golden Eagle."
TAB has already unveiled the market for the first-ever King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on The Everest feature card, which will boast an impressive prize pool of approximately A$35 million.
Mr. Brightside, a dual Doncaster Mile winner, and Light Infantry, an import, are currently the joint favorites at A$8 for the inaugural King Charles III Stakes. Light Infantry is expected to join the training partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace after finishing third in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.