Giga Kick ‘ready to go’ after trial win
![](https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Giga-Kick-15102022-8067-734x460.jpg)
Giga Kick continued his build-up to a return to the track at Randwick on Friday, where the star sprinter won a talent-laden 900m trial.
The dual Group 1 winner and 2022 The Everest champion sat fourth, improved from the midway point and was given slight encouragement from James Mcdonald to get alongside Linebacker before given an easy time of things late.
The five-year-old cruised home three-quarters-of-a-length clear of the Champagne Stakes runner-up on the Good 4 track with Punch Lane 1-1/4 lengths back third, a half-length clear of Doncaster Mile winner Celestial Legend.
Friday’s workout was Giga Kick’s second trial in Sydney, having finished second to Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot over 850m on a Heavy track August 19, which followed a Mornington jumpout prior to heading north.
Trainer Clayton Douglas said it was just the type of performance he wanted to see before his return in the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick next Saturday.
“He’s come on a lot from his last trial on that Heavy ground, it was good to see him on some drier ground up here today, and his recovery was really good,” Douglas said.
“He’s obviously ready to go now and tomorrow week we will find out where we are at.
“He’s in really good order and I’m really happy with him.”
McDonald will partner Giga Kick in the Concorde Stakes, which will be his first race ride on the son of Scissor Kick.
Giga Kick’s trial was just one of a number of trials containing potential spring key players with Group 1-winning former Kiwi mare Belclare narrowly defeating Cafe Millenium in the second trial, which also contained Sunshine In Paris (third) and Schwarz (fifth).
Newgate and the China Horse Club had a couple of sons of Deep Field win by six lengths, High Octane and Bases Loaded, while Bases Loaded’s Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stablemate Espionage finished second to Way To The Stars in his first trial of the campaign.
More Racing News
Expressway Stakes the ‘Way to go early for Joliestar
Chris Waller’s Apollo Stakes contenders will take center stage at Randwick this Saturday, but the champion trainer also has strong support in the day’s other $300,000 Group 2 races. Joliestar has been entered for the 1400-metre Apollo alongside Via Sistina, Fangirl, and Atishu, but is set to begin her campaign in...
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes could be the making of Maher’s Empire
The only certainty is that Growing Empire will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. However, the outcome of that race will shape the rest of his season. Trainer Ciaron Maher is eager to secure a maiden Group 1 victory for the son of Zoustar. The three-year-old narrowly...
Mount Barker Cup continues good times for Madi Derrick
Jockey Madi Derrick continued her impressive run of form, securing a double for trainer Ray Malpass, including a standout victory in the Mount Barker Cup (2000m) on Sunday. Seven-year-old gelding Big Swoop proved too strong for his competitors, rounding off a successful day for Malpass, who also saw Sirota claim a...
Strideaway set for Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic goal
Trainer Neville Parnham says Strideaway has improved since her perfect return and is spot on to end his Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) hoodoo at Pinjarra on Saturday. A daughter of Alabama Express, Strideaway created a big impression first up and stamped her Magic Millions credentials with authority, gunning down Do...
Leonchroi could be set for the SA Derby
Grand Syndicates was doing its best to keep its feet on the ground after Leonchroi’s win at Caulfield on Monday, but Blake Shinn’s words might encourage them to aim up with the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old. Melbourne’s leading jockey described the gelding as possibly a ‘South Australian Derby...
Black Caviar Lightning Stakes 2025 out but Royal Ascot still a possibility
Isthmus' hopes of competing in a Group 1 event at Flemington have been put on hold due to surgery for an entrapped epiglottis. However, trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman remain optimistic about the mare’s chances of racing internationally. Originally set to launch her autumn campaign in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes...
Ethan Brown after more Group 1 Glory in Black Caviar Lightning Stakes
Jockey Ethan Brown is eager to secure another Group 1 victory as he takes the reins on Mornington Glory in the upcoming Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington. Brown, who has claimed six Group 1 titles since May 2022, is excited to reunite with Mornington Glory for Saturday’s high-stakes sprint....
Melham’s Wish could soon come true in Futurity Stakes
Jamie Melham has been eager to reunite with I Wish I Win ever since their first partnership, and her excitement has only grown after witnessing the gelding's recent performances at the Pakenham jumpouts. Melham has teamed up with the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win for two jumpout...
Chris Waller has eyes on first All Star Mile
After achieving Group 1 status, the All-Star Mile has become a prominent target for renowned trainer Chris Waller. The nominations for the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 8 closed on Tuesday, with Waller entering seven horses in the $2.5 million race. Since its inception in 2019, Waller has had only...
Here To Shock land Hayes boys international G1 in BCD Group Sprint
Here To Shock delivered an unforgettable victory for Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, securing their first-ever international Group 1 win in New Zealand. The experienced gelding was aimed at the BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, and the ambitious move paid off with a...