Giga Kick primed for The Goodwood Handicap 2025

Rather than chase autumn riches in Sydney, Clayton Douglas has chosen a perfectly weighted target in Adelaide for his Group 1 star Giga Kick, who resumes in Saturday’s The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.

Under the race’s set-weights-and-penalties structure, Giga Kick will carry 54.5kg, a scenario that gives him a rare advantage as a proven Group 1 performer. The gelding hasn’t won since last year’s Doomben 10,000, making him well-placed against rivals like Charm Stone and Climbing Star.

“That’s serious form for a Goodwood,” Douglas said.

“He’s meeting Group 3 winners, as a Group 1 winner, on level weights and he meets the three-year-olds at level weights.

“It just wouldn’t happen in any other race. Even at weight-for-age level we’d be giving them four and five kilos, so we’re just so well weighted.

“He’s still got to go out and do it, absolutely, and it’s been a while between runs but, in saying that, it’s been well-thought-out and I’m pretty happy with where we’ve got him.”

Giga Kick’s last run came in the Champions Sprint where he finished seventh, though he nearly claimed victory in the The Everest one start prior.

His build-up this campaign has been carefully managed with trial wins and placings at Mornington and Balnarring. Douglas has also mapped a path to Brisbane, with the Kingsford Smith Cup his likely next stop.

“That was pretty much it, but also it’s going to be more well-set-up for the Spring, too,” Douglas said.

“He’s going to have a couple of nice runs, I’m going to be a little bit later (spelling), so then I’ll have that nice residual fitness going into the spring.”

Mark Zahra will take the reins from gate 12, sweating down to 54.5kg to ride the $2.25 market leader.

To get behind Giga Kick in The Goodwood or secure the best odds on any runner this weekend, check out our expert-reviewed betting sites page.