James McDonald and trainer Clayton Douglas rapt with The Everest hopeful Giga Kick after trial win

Giga Kick, the 2022 The Everest winner, is bound for Saturday week’s Group 2 Premiere Stakes following a terrific trial performance on Tuesday.

Champion rider James McDonald and trainer Clayton Douglas were unanimous in their assessment of comeback star Giga Kick following his eye-catching The Everest tune-up at Canterbury on Tuesday.

Explosive sprinter Giga Kick was one of two former The Everest winners to line up at a crucial barrier trial session in Sydney with last year’s winner Think About It also impressing on the morning.

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McDonald put Giga Kick through his paces in a 901m heat where the son of Group 1-winning sprinter Scissor Kick delivered an excellent last-to-first effort to win the heat in 54.88sec (last 600m in 34.13sec).

“He was superb this morning,” McDonald told Racenet.

“He has obviously been improving all the time with fitness and that’s been the biggest key.

“Obviously he is coming off a long lay-off but he feels really good and he is executing beautifully so he is well on track for (the Premiere Stakes).”

"Giga Kick's flooding home, he'll win!"

An eye-catching trial from @c_douglasracing's 2022 #TABEverest champion at Canterbury on Tuesday as he runs down Pisanello and Kote from last to win the 901m heat in 54.88. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/Bch2lwCGsB

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 24, 2024

McDonald partnered Giga Kick in his first start for a year when the gelding finished fifth in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) last month.

Douglas has elected to go a month between into the Group 2 $1m Premiere Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday week where Giga Kick can put himself on the shop window for The Everest slot-holders.

The Mornington trainer was rapt with his final public tune-up.

“He quickened really strongly and seems to have come through it really well,” Douglas said.

“We always thought the month between runs would suit and giving him another trial to tune up so he will be pretty ready now for Saturday week and then only two weeks to The Everest.

“I think James having another ride on the horse is always a good thing and he gave him a great feel today so we are very happy.

“James will be on him again in the Premiere.”

"He was superb."

James McDonald gives his thoughts on Giga Kick's trial this morning.

🎥 via @richieplzpic.twitter.com/j54IzAElqK

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) September 24, 2024

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Giga Kick will clash with Think About It when the Joe Pride-trained sprinter makes his spring return in the Premiere Stakes.

Pride hasn’t wavered on his strategy to kick-off Think About It’s The Everest title defence two weeks out from the richest race on turf despite the fact his gelding still hasn’t been locked in for the race.

Think About It sat outside the lead in his 901m heat and was given a squeeze by new jockey Jason Collett late before narrowly going down to Godolphin sprinter Corniche in the concluding stages.

“I am very happy,” Collett said.

“That was his second trial, he was more comfortable today and not as fresh.

“He had a nice hit out and that will bring him on.”

Giga Kick is a $9 chance for The Everest while Think About It is $11 for the Royal Randwick feature on October 19.

Last year’s runner up I Wish I Win remains a $5 favourite for the race and will take a significant step towards his grand final when he contests Friday night’s Group 1 $2m Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.

Originally published as James McDonald and trainer Clayton Douglas rapt with The Everest hopeful Giga Kick after trial win