Exciting two-year-old Giga Kick made it two from two in the first at Flemington and will look to target early 3YO group racing next.
Clayton Douglas’ gelding set tongues wagging with a dominant debut win at Sale in February, running good time from the front and posting a 44.5 Racing And Sports KGR which saw him run favourite at Flemington first up.
Apprentice Matt Cartwright never had cause for panic as Giga Kick, despite racing a bit greenly down the straight for the first time, comfortably held off listed placegetter Lascars in second.
Douglas noticed the gelding’s greenness which only gives him confidence there’s more to come.
“(He was) a little bit raw down the straight, first go, he probably had a good wander around and got there pretty early but it was good to see him get the job done… when he got challenged he kicked again and I think he’ll improve a lot off that, he’s probably come here 80% so there’s a lot of improvement in him,” Douglas said.
Jockey Matt Cartwright echoed those thoughts post-race but is excited to have the opportunity.
“He’s still quite a raw product… he’s a really nice horse and won really well today,” Cartwright said.
Douglas was patient with his gelding early doors, opting not to run in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) after his maiden win, but group class targets are right on his radar now.
“Probably four weeks’ time we’ll head to the Vain Stakes around the corner over 1100m (Group 3 at Caulfield) and I think he’ll be better back around a corner at this point but he should go there in good order,” Douglas said.
