Sydney set for Giga Kick's return in Challenge Stakes
The gelding Giga Kick will make his Sydney comeback after close to 18 months when lining up in the Challenge Stakes at Randwick, a key step towards The Championships.
This leading speedster was last seen in Sydney placing second to Bella Nipotina in the 2024 The Everest (1200m), making Saturday's 1000m event at Randwick his opening trial, provided the weather holds.
Douglas brought Giga Kick up to Sydney over the weekend and will settle on the gelding's start after observing him during Tuesday's workout.
While keeping an eye on the elements, the trainer is determined to give the gelding this outing in readiness for the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) over Randwick on April 4.
"Nash Rawiller will ride him. He will probably have a sit on him on Tuesday morning," Douglas said.
"Everything seems to be on target.
"Hopefully we will get a bit of give in the ground. That's going to be the main thing for him.
"It will be another run towards the T J and then hopefully we're ready to go."
In 2023, Douglas employed an identical schedule for Giga Kick, who ran third to Passive Aggressive in the Challenge Stakes (1000m) before a runner-up finish to I Wish I Win in the T J Smith Stakes.
Fellow stable resident Top Reward joins him in Sydney after a creditable fifth to Australian Guineas winner Observer in Caulfield's Autumn Stakes (1400m) at his fresh start.
Nominations are in place for the three-year-old in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and ATC Australian Derby (2400m), but the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 14 comes first.
"He will trial on Thursday at Randwick and then it's nine days to the race," Douglas said.
"It will be a month between runs, but the trial in between will do him good.
"(Stepping up from) 1400 to 1500 will suit him. I might even put a set of blinkers on him in the trial."
Check out online bookmakers for attractive racing betting markets on the Challenge Stakes.
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