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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Clayton Douglas is adamant a very different Giga Kick will step out at Randwick on Saturday to make a TAB Everest statement two weeks out from the $20m sprint.

Trainer Clayton Douglas (Pic: Grant Guy)

With fellow equal current TAB Everest second favourite Bella Nipotina and last year’s champ Think About It also tackling the Group 2 $1m Precise Air Premiere Stakes (1200m) the race is very much a mini-Everest for Giga Kick and that’s how Douglas sees it.

Giga Kick has had the one run from a 12 month absence, a fifth in the Challenge Stakes a month ago, and after a rousing recent trial win is certain he’s on target.

“I’m very content that we’re on track. I know people probably have to see it, but I’m sure they’ll see it on Saturday,’’ Douglas said.

“We know Giga Kick at his best is very good, there’s not many horses in the country that would beat him that’s for sure.

“I was being quite strategic in wanting the horse to keep improving into his preparation off a long break. So first-up there was always going to be a lot of improvement in him.”

The five-year-old, winner of the TAB Everest in 2022, was a noticeable market drifter in the Challenge Stakes, somewhat to do with a fierce on pace/on rail pattern, and was beaten three lengths by I Am Me.

Douglas was aware he’d be a lot better for the run and that was on show when he swept home from last to win a Canterbury trial on September 24.

“With the way the race was run it was a more than adequate run first-up, it was a good pass mark for where we needed to be,’’ he said.

“The amount of improvement he’s taken from that into his trial at Canterbury into this run is quite significant.

“Even brushing him prior to the race his hair was just starting to turn and I think everyone will see a different horse on Saturday, the improvement he’s taken is quite significant just in how he physically looks let alone how he’s been going in himself.

“We’re only two weeks out from a grand final so we’re fairly ripped and ready. From there we know he performs third-up.”

One aspect of the Premiere Stakes that pleases Douglas is where Giga Kick has drawn, in gate five, as he feels Bella Nipotina is a very good benchmark.

He was $2.50 favourite with TAB on Thursday, with Bella Nipotina at $2.90, and Douglas said he’s confident James McDonald will use the benefit of a race and some trial rides on the gelding to his advantage.

“He’s drawn to get the right run, James having a couple of runs on him now is of benefit as well,’’ he said.

Giga Kick wins a trial at Canterbury on September 24

“He was very complimentary of him the other day at the trials and he feels if he’s ridden a bit more conservatively he shows more of a turn of foot.

“I’d say he will want to be neutral from the barrier and let the speed go and be doing his best work late. It’s the perfect draw to be able to do that.

“We’ve got Bella alongside us, we may make her work a bit to get across. He’s been beginning well this preparation so that’s giving us options.”

All the fields, form and replays for TAB Epsom Day at Randwick on Saturday