Giga Kick ready to launch spring campaign in Moir Stakes

It has been almost four years since Giga Kick and Clayton Douglas were the celebrated duo of Australian racing.

The pair captured The Everest at Randwick in October 2022, and in the following autumn, they triumphed in the All-Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000. During this period, Giga Kick was also awarded the title of Australian Champion Sprinter.

Giga Kick was perceived as the burgeoning star in Australian sprinting ranks, and Douglas had charted a course to repeat their success by targeting the 2023 Everest.

However, that trajectory shifted significantly in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 9, 2023, where Giga Kick finished third, a performance that baffled his connections.

It was subsequently determined that Giga Kick had suffered a deep muscle tear in his hindquarter, requiring a near year-long rehabilitation program before the gelding could return to the racetrack.

This injury remains something that requires careful management to this day and has restricted Giga Kick to only 12 starts in the three years that have passed.

Yet, Giga Kick has not diminished in sprinting ability, returning to finish second in the 2024 Everest before claiming the Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield and the VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington last spring.

Giga Kick is poised to begin his latest campaign when he competes in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday.

The Moir Stakes is traditionally conducted at Moonee Valley but has been moved this year due to a track reconstruction at The Valley.

Douglas is amenable to the race being held at Sandown, a venue where Giga Kick has yet to race, but one where he has had extensive 'practice' sessions.

A jump-out placing last week and a gallop there on Tuesday have Douglas feeling confident that Giga Kick is prepared to perform strongly first-up.

"He's forward as he's been in work a long time," Douglas said. "The 1000 metres, he's definitely ready for. He hasn't won a good race over the 1000 before, but this track will give him his chance. It's a good race with a lot of speedsters in it which makes the race more intriguing. There's going to be a lot of pressure and Giga Kick is at his best when there is a lot of pressure, so hopefully it falls into our favour."

Giga Kick achieved victory in the Schillaci Stakes first-up last October, and Douglas is of the opinion that the gelding is in a similar state of form this year.

Furthermore, the possibility of a rain-affected track will not pose any difficulties.

"His wind is good, his action is good, he's moving very well," Douglas remarked. "He's seven, and he's a big strong boy. He's an amazing horse and comes back and just does what he has to do every preparation, but being and older horse, we're always managing him, always watching his action, making sure that's 100 per cent. His body has been great for quite some time, and he goes to the race fit, well and healthy. I've done my job."

Mark Zahra, who partnered Giga Kick to victory in the VRC Champions Sprint, will ride the gelding for the first time since that win on Saturday.

Giga Kick has drawn gate nine in the competitive field of 13, which includes notable contenders such as Rothfire, Skybird, Generosity, My Gladiola, Point Barrow, Cavalry Girl, and Natural Fling.

Consider checking out available racing betting markets for the Moir Stakes.