The Group 1 Doomben 10,000 is Giga Kick's to lose, according to the betting markets for Saturday's 1200m weight-for-age feature in Brisbane, Australia.
The three-year-old by Scissor Kick has one Group 1 to his name, beating home the likes of Zaaki and Cascadian to claim the All Aged Stakes at Randwick last start.
He has been dominant in Group company when taking out the Group 2 Danehill Stakes and Group 3 Vain Stakes in the past year, along with a gritty win in the world's richest turf race, The Everest.
Giga Kick has opened as a -153.85 favourite with Bovada for his debut in the Sunshine State, and trainer Clayton Douglas will have him primed to make it seven wins from 10 career starts and add to his prize money of A$8.6 million.
“I'm not worried where I draw, I'm not worried one bit, I've just got so much faith in this horse,” Douglas told media after he rode Giga Kick at Doomben on Tuesday morning.
He has drawn gate four and will have Aft Cabin ridden by James McDonald on one side of him from the barriers (3) and the Robert Heathcote-trained Prince Of Boom with James Orman on the other (5).
“I told everyone before The Everest that I thought he would nearly win The Everest – and he did,” the trainer said.
“I think he will win the Doomben 10,000.
“I'm not shy about having a challenge.”
The Victoria-based trainer understands the calibre of horse he has in Giga Kick.
“He is a very, very good horse – I don't know if I will ever get my hands on another one like him,” Douglas said.
“I'm very happy with where the horse is at physically and mentally.
“Fourth-up, a month between runs, I think is perfect.”
The trip over 1200m will throw up some challenges for the star, however, with a field that includes the likes of the James Cummings-trained Aft Cabin and The Quokka winner Overpass.
The latter took out last year's Inglis Sprint and Group 2 Expressway Stakes, proving his ability as a sprint star.
This Saturday will be his first time back in Brisbane for two years, and trainer Bjorn Baker says he is preparing well for the contest.
“His works definitely gone up a level,” Baker told the media.
“I'm thrilled with him.
“He looks fantastic, he's in good order.”
A Case Of You throws up another challenge at odds having conquered abroad, winning two Group 1 races before being brought down under.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, he has had two runs in Australia so far with a fifth and sixth place in Group company, and progression is expected from the Hot Streak x Karjera five-year-old in his 21st career start.
Mazu returns to defend his title in the race after taking out last year's edition with Sam Clipperton onboard.
This year Tim Clark has been booked to ride Peter and Paul Snowden's four-year-old, who has not returned to the winner's circle since that victory at Eagle Farm in 2022.
He has been coming up against some quality competition, however, placing in The Everest and Winners Stakes in the spring and finishing third behind I Wish I Win and Giga Kick in the TJ Smith Stakes.
“I'm happy with him, he looks great, he's bright, he's fresh,” the Snowden stable said.