GIGA READY TO KICK OFF IN STYLE

IT’S the old star taking on the youngsters when Giga Kick takes on a quintet of smart three-year-olds headed by Tentryis in the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington.

In two starts last spring, the six-year-old gelding Giga Kick showed he was back to his best with wins in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield and the VRC Champions Sprint at Flemington.

The Schillaci Stakes win was Giga Kick’s first in two and a half years, which was a period where he had suffered numerous injuries.

His trainer, Clayton Douglas, never lost faith in the sprinter whom he assessed as a champion.

After the Schillaci Stakes, Giga Kick reaffirmed that not only was he back as a force and he was also one of the best sprinters in the country with his win in the VRC Champions Sprint.

Douglas, speaking on SEN’s Giddy Up, said Giga Kick was in really good order.

“He only had two runs last preparation. He’s been kept up to the mark and he trialled really sharply at Caulfield and 1000m up the straight is a nice kick off point,” Douglas said.

“He generally improves with a run under his belt, but he’s pretty forward. This will kick off his campaign and then I’ll send him up to Sydney.”

Douglas said there should be enough speed in the race to suit Giga Kick’s run on style.

“I’m happy with the draw as there’s– speed out wide and a few underneath. He probably won’t be too far away off the speed and then he’ll be strong late.”

“I’m really happy with him and hopefully he’ll kick off with a good run.”

Giga Kick is $5 with Unibet with Tentryis as a $2.50 favourite.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained three-year-old colt Tentryis affirmed his immense talent with his comfortable win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on the opening day of the Flemington carnival, running the 1200m in a whirlwind 1:08.01 min. and he will be the horse to beat.

Recently, Home Affairs (2021) and Coolangatta (2022) have completed that double. Others who did the same feat were Choisir (2003) and Fastnet Rock (2005).

The other three-year-olds is the other colt Beiwacht, and the three fillies, which are Military Tycoon, the Golden Slipper winner Marhoona and My Gladiola.