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“Watch out, the new kid is on the block.”

Those were the words uttered by trainer Clayton Douglas to explain Giga Kick’s impressive win in the TAB Everest (1200m) after keeping his unbeaten record intact at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The three-year-old went to a new level, and Punter’s Intelligence recorded his sectional brilliance to win the prestigious race.

The race was run at a strong tempo, with leader Eduardo running the first 600m in 34.57, which was approximately 0.5 lengths quicker than the Kosciuszko (1200m) and five lengths faster than the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m).

Giga Kick was still 15 metres off the lead at the 400m mark before showing an electric turn of foot and ran his final 400m/200m splits in 23.07/11.97, which as expected, were some of the fastest of the meeting.

Further, his final 600m sectional in 34.34 was approximately 2.25 lengths quicker than the equal next best being Mazu and Masked Crusader in 34.71.

He hit the line in style and is still yet to reach his ceiling whilst on an upwards ratings spiral.

Although a beaten well-fancied favourite Nature Strip was courageous in defeat. The eight-year-old raced three-wide without cover and was working throughout.

He ran the clear fastest 1000m-400m in 32.55, which was his undoing over the final stages after exerting all that energy prior.

Moreover, to further the merit of his performance, the other on-pace runners were well beaten, and expect the champion sprinter to bounce back and be a force to be reckoned with next start.

Private Eye was perfectly ridden by Brenton Advulla and ran the race quickest 600m-400m split in 11.21. He looked like the winner for part of the straight and maintained a solid finishing speed to the line to hold on for second.

Mazu’s run was full of merit after racing wide with cover and running on solidly. The Peter & Paul Snowden trained galloper kept coming all the way to the line and ran building splits relative to his rivals.

He clocked one of the fastest final 200m sectionals of the day in 12.15, and his sectional profile suggests he can improve again.

Jacquinot was solid into fourth and raced well in the inferior ground.

Front Page as referenced, led at a genuine tempo, and defied the pattern of the day when winning the Kosciuszko (1200m).

Additionally, the race rated highly relative to the day after adjusting for age, class, additional factors and the margins throughout confirmed the quality.

The six-year-old produced a career peak figure and did it on both ends, running an overall time of 1:10.12. To put that into perspective, that was only approximately 1.5 lengths slower than the TAB Everest (1200m). Continue to follow.

Far Too Easy was well-ridden but tried hard in defeat and clocked 34.91 for his final 600m.

Fender ran fast closing sectionals whilst making a long-wide sustained run and ran his final 400m in 23.52.

In addition, Cavalier Charles never shirked his task to the line and is ready to peak third-up.
The Golden Eagle is under a fortnight away, and multiple runners had flashing light runs in the Silver Eagle (1300m).

Vilana had every chance but was utterly dominant and easily won. Further, he hit the line hard, and his final 400m split was in 23.30.

Mr Mozart was 35 days between runs and was gallant in defeat. The Hawkes trained galloper had the bias against him and never shirked his task to the line. Expect him to improve over a further distance.

Kiss Sum savaged the line and clocked the race’s second-fastest final 200m split in 12.05, and Brigantine was just a tick behind in 12.06 after being checked/blocked.

Waterford will be suited back up to 1500m and ran the races quickest 600m-400m in 11.43.

It’s worth noting a couple to follow from the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m). Waihaha Falls who clocked 11.10 for his 400m-200m split and Brutality is right on track for a peak performance after making up significant ground to run 34.20 for his final 600m.

Ellsberg is flying and went back-to-back, winning the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m).

Rival Rustic Steel ran the race quickest 400m-200m split in 11.44 before peaking on his run. His ratings/sectional profile suggest he’s ready to peak fourth-up.

Fastest last 600m: Brutality 34.20

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