The Everest winner Giga Kick unlikely to race this season

Scans have confirmed dual Group 1 winner Giga Kick’s recovery from a serious injury but there’s unlikely to be a return to racing anytime soon.

Giga Kick before running third in the McEwen Stakes.

Star sprinter Giga Kick is unlikely to race again this season despite being cleared to resume training.

Scans on Monday confirmed the dual Group 1 winner’s recovery from a strain deep in the gluteal muscle.

A return to Queensland could be entertained, Giga Kick won the Doomben 10,000 last year in Brisbane, but the preference is for a “long preparation and freshen” into the spring.

Giga Kick, trained by Clayton Douglas, sustained the muscle injury last spring in the McEwen Stakes at The Valley.

HOW IMPRESSIVE WAS THAT! 😱

IMPERATRIZ SWOOPS PAST GIGA KICK IN THE MCEWEN! 💨@TeAkauRacingpic.twitter.com/UWNCh6UqMU

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 9, 2023

The first-up setback ended Douglas and Giga Kick’s owner Jonathan Munz’s quest to defend their Everest crown.

The injury would take longer than anticipated to heal, which derailed Melbourne and Sydney autumn ambitions.

Giga Kick will begin training in a water walker before graduating to grass gallops in due course.

On this day, three years ago, an Everest champion was born.

Happy Birthday Giga Kick. 🎂 @CWilliamsJockey@c_douglasracingpic.twitter.com/iwamthLMwI

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2022

The four-year-old gelding has won seven of 11 starts, including the Group 1 All Aged Stakes, to amass $9.6m prizemoney.

Despite the rise of Group 1 superstar Imperatriz and reigning Everest winner Think About It, Giga Kick is rated an $11 chance for Australia’s richest sprint.

Originally published as The Everest winner Giga Kick unlikely to race this season