All the eyes in the Australian racing world were on Giga Kick in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 as the raging odds-on favourite with online bookmakers, got over the top of Overpass late to bring up his second Group 1 success in as many starts.
The Clayton Douglas-trained three-year-old gelding jumped as the $1.65 favourite, and even though he found the front with 75m to go, he appeared to always have the race within his keeping from the top of the home straight.
Giga Kick, a son of Scissor Kick, settle mid-field from barrier four after jumping slowly, but once he found the outside of the leading trio with 400m to go, we all knew that the flashy chestnut was going to run them down as soon as Craig Williams went for the whip and pushed the button.
After running second in the TJ Smith Stakes and winning both the All Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000 this time in, Douglas confirmed that he will be set for another tilt at The Everest in the spring.
2023 Doomben 10,000 Replay – Giga Kick
Clayton Douglas was filled with joy after seeing his star-gelding win the Doomben 10,000, and he spoke post-race.
“I was very happy with him. Great ride, it made my job a little bit easier to watch, I can tell you that!” Douglas said of his star sprinter.
“He obviously had a little bit left in the tank and it was good to see him do what he did, he's a phenomenal horse isn't he?
“Four runs this prep, two Group 1 wins, just got beaten in a T.J. (Smith), everyone's come out to see him and that's what we wanted to see.
“1400m back to 12, fourth-up, off a relatively long-ish sort of prep, he's a horse that possesses a lot of ability. He's just a little ripper.
“He'll go to the paddock tomorrow and have a break. Then we'll set our sights on The Everest.”
Craig Williams has only been back riding for a month, but he is back better than ever, bringing up two Group 1 victories on Giga Kick, and he spoke post-race about the win.
“He's such a good horse, I'm just so lucky to be a part of his journey,” Williams said of Douglas.
“Clayton Douglas is a phenomenal horseman.
“I think the fight late was good and tough. When we trialled the other day he put his wings away because he felt like Pegasus.
“Clayton Douglas' story into racing, although he was bred to be into racing, his journey himself is a remarkable one and the reason why this horse has been developed and turning into the star that he is. He's in very capable hands.”
Giga Kick is now the equal favourite with I Wish I Win at $5 with online betting sites in The Everest futures market.