Credit – Ray Thomas
As Giga Kick and Craig Williams surged to the front half-way down the straight, Zaaki’s rider James McDonald turned to his rival and said simply: “Too good!”
It was all McDonald needed to say as Giga Kick made a resounding statement at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Sydney autumn carnival ended with The Everest and Golden Eagle winners securing their first Group 1 wins and confirming the changing of the guard in the nation’s sprinting ranks.
Giga Kick, the reigning The Everest champ, broke through at racing’s highest level with his stunning win in the $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m).
This came after Giga Kick was beaten a half length by Golden Eagle hero I Wish I Win in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes on Day One of The Championships two weeks ago.
Giga Kick and I Wish I Win are clearly the best sprinters in training and it’s no surprise they are $6 equal favourites for the $15 million The TAB Everest later this year.
What is surprising is that neither Giga Kick or I Wish I Win have been snapped by an Everest slot-holder – although that is surely just a matter of time now.
"He goes home in the Group 1 a big winner."#TABEverest champ Giga Kick gives trainer @Dougie_5 his first Group 1 with a dominant victory in the $1.5m Schweppes All Aged Stakes at Randwick, beating Zaaki and Cascadian. @tabcomau @CWilliamsJockey pic.twitter.com/7wTfjJcGvJ
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 15, 2023
Clayton Douglas, trainer of Giga Kick, said there is “a lot of interest” in his super sprinter but he leaves Everest negotiations to owner Jonathan Munz.
But Douglas was happy to talk about his super sprinter who had just provided him with the first Group 1 of his training career.
“There is a touch of freak about Giga Kick,” Douglas said.
“He rounded them up like a very good horse today and it’s great to think I have that Group 1 next to my name now.
“This horse is so good I could train him for a Cox Plate and he could probably win it.
“But he’s such a brilliant sprinter and it is all about being back at Randwick in October for The Everest.”
Giga Kick ($2.90 favourite) surged from back in the field and powered past a gallant Zaaki ($6) to win by a widening one-and-a-half lengths with Godolphin warhorse Cascadian ($6.50) a short neck away third.
Champion jockey Craig Williams, who missed Giga Kick’s TJ Smith run as he recovered from a broken collarbone, said “full credit” should go to Douglas for his expert management of his outstanding three-year-old.
“The way Clayton prepares the horse, the way he puts all his energy into the horse, knowing him, he’s done such a fantastic job,” Williams said.
“I’m the lucky one who gets the chance to ride this horse on raceday. I haven’t been on his back for weeks but full credit to Clayton, the horse looked magnificent and raced that way.
“I thought Giga Kick paraded better today than he did first-up this preparation because Clayton has got such a great hand on where the horse is at and how he is developing the horse.
“The exciting thing is Giga Kick is a three-year-old having just his ninth start today. He’s won The Everest, he’s won a Group 1 and I’m convinced the best is yet to come.”
Williams was then asked about the moment Giga Kick ranged up to Zaaki at the 200m mark.
“James McDonald (rider of Zaaki) said to me ‘too good’ when I went past him,” Williams revealed. “Giga Kick just did it so easy at his first run at 1400m.
“I must tell Clayton and his owner that I work out harder on my mechanical horse than what I had to do in the race today because he’s such a serious horse.”
Article – RACENET