There has been no sneaking into Sydney for a more powerful Everest winner Giga Kick as he readies himself for the challenge of the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
He arrived in the spring, unbeaten and unknown, and turned into the X-factor of Australian sprinting in just under 70 seconds.
He started a $21 chance in The Everest, but without a win in two runs since — albeit unlucky on both occasions — he is now the $4.20 TJ Smith favourite.
The new kid has become the man, taking over from world champion Nature Strip in punters’ eyes as the one to beat.
Nothing much has changed for Giga Kick’s 28-year-old trainer Clayton Douglas regarding his horse. The routine is the same. He is a little heavier, but there was a little more belief when he arrived at the same stable at Randwick.
“He is nearly 15kg heavier. He looks similar to what he was at the back end of the spring, but he has furnished into a horse, that is probably the main point,” Douglas said.
Trainer Clayton Douglas leads Everest winner Giga Kick out of his stable at Randwick. Credit:Wolter Peeters
“He didn’t put on 50 kilos meaning we had to really screw him down. He has stayed an athlete, and it’s exciting to be here.
“It’s the most prestigious sprint of the autumn and we’re front and centre. It is crazy to think that.”
The thing that has changed for Giga Kick is expectation. He is no longer making up the field but is the star attraction alongside three-time defending champion Nature Strip.
But the TJ Smith doesn’t stop with that pair. In Secret, Giga Kick’s main challenger for three-year-old of the year after winning the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Newmarket, and Private Eye add depth to a contest for the ages. Cases can also be made for Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win, Mazu and Lost And Running.
Giga Kick launches to Everest victory over Private Eye at Randwick in October.Credit:Getty
“We were a bit of the underdog, an unbeaten three-year-old going into The Everest, but at the same time we were wondering how good the horse was,” Douglas said.
“He had not been outside three-year-old class before, but he was able to step up to weight-for-age and win it.
“His run in the VRC Sprint up the [Flemington] straight was good. His first-up run at weight-for-age was good [in the Challenge Stakes] without winning.
“He is proven as a weight-for-age now. The mystery is gone.”
James McDonald boots home Nature Strip in last year’s TJ Smith.Credit:Getty
The unbeaten record might be gone, but in defeat Giga Kick’s reputation has only been enhanced. He ran a luckless fifth in the VRC Sprint Classic in the spring before first-up in the Challenge Stakes at Randwick he cost himself his chance at the start before charging into third behind Passive Aggressive.
It is a mistake he can’t make on Saturday, given he will be several lengths from the leaders and Nature Strip with the majority of the 15-horse field in front of him.
“We know he has been a touch sticky away from the gate, but if he can [get] away from the gate I see him getting a nice position from where he can strike from,” Douglas said.
“The last couple of races he has struck trouble and that cannot happen on Saturday chasing the likes of Nature Strip.
“He has proven he can reel off ridiculous sectionals. If he does that again on Saturday, I’m sure he is going to be up there. But he needs to get a clear run at them. The 1200m at Randwick suits, he has been there and done it before and everything’s super.”
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