Giga Kick getting a slot is a massive boost for the fledging career of former jumps jockey Clayton Douglas, who has only had 24 winners as a trainer. He has earned a little more than $1.3 million. Even if Giga Kick runs third in The Everest he would more than double his career earnings.
“I’m pinching myself. It is unreal to be a part of the whole ride with this horse,” Douglas said.
“He is a multiple stakes winner and to think I have a horse with this ability and of this quality is amazing. Even to be a contender for an Everest it’s going to be a great experience.”
Giga Kick won twice as a two-year-old, but Craig Williams has teamed with him this spring, firstly when he came with a powerful surge to win the Vain Stakes before being too strong despite carrying a penalty in the Danehill Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
“It is hard to know [how good he is]. He is such an exciting horse, he has done everything right to this point,” Douglas continued. “He is such a professional, he has the right attitude and right demeanour to cope with everything. He has done things that other horses just don’t do.”
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Giga Kick is a $26 chance for The Everest, where horse-of-the-year Nature Strip has firmed to be an even-money favourite.
Meanwhile, the other wildcard in the $15 million showcase, former Hong Kong sprinter Joyful Fortune won a Randwick barrier trial on Tuesday and trainer Mark Newnham confirmed Tommy Sherry would ride him in The Everest.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Blake Shinn had the first offer of the ride, but he opted to ride the 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare in the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne on the same day.
“It was an easy decision for me because Tommy has done all the work on him leading up to him winning in Melbourne,” Newnham said. “He was on him in the trial on Tuesday and the horse and rider are a perfect combination.”
