Giga KickĀ has provided former picnic turned jumps jockey Clayton DouglasĀ with his first Group race win as trainer taking out the Vain Stakes at Caulfield.
Victory in the Group 3 1100m dash for three-year-oldsĀ has kept Giga Kick unbeaten record intact after he scored on debut at Sale in February before a first-up win at Flemington last month.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Giga Kick ($4) got up in the final stages to defeat the $3.10 favourite Alpha One by a long-head with Millane ($9) a further 2-Ā¼ lengths off third.
Douglas who wonĀ a number ofĀ feature races over jumps, including two Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechases, admitted there was plenty of nerves before Giga Kick hit the track on Saturday.
He said it was thrilling to see the gelding let rip from theĀ second halfĀ of the field and provide him with his most important win as a trainer.
āI have to thank Jonathan Munz and the team for being gifted this horse and being able to nurture him through,ā Douglas said.
āSeeing him let rip like that, I think weāve got a serious horse on our hands.
āI didnāt think they went that quick and I was a little worried when he was three pairs back.
āHeās such a good jockey Craig. He just kept him balanced and when he asked him for the ultimate effort, he still had plenty left.ā
Even though Giga Kick was second-up following a break, Douglas said there was still plenty of improvement to come from the gelding.
āHeās still an immature type. You could see that in the yard,ā Douglas said.
āHe hasnāt come in theĀ coat,Ā so heās still got some nice improvement to come.
āHeās a lovely horse and has a bright future.ā
Douglas said he would speak with his uncle āRocketā, the racing manager for Munz, about plans for the three-year-old, but said there was a possibility the gelding may return to Caulfield on August 27 for the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m).
Giga Kick is entered for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) inĀ October butĀ is likely to be kept to shorter trips this campaign.