GIGA KICK'S COMEBACK STILL ON HOLD

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Giga Kick’s return to the racing arena that he illuminated so brightly with, amongst others, his win in The Everest as well as his triumphs in The All Aged and Doomben 10 000 (both Group 1 races), is still on hold as trainer Clayton Douglas awaits a further veterinary test next and scan on his star performer next week, the outcome of which will determine the smart son of Scissor Kick’s plan of action in the coming months.

Giga Kick, seemingly with the world at his feet, only returned for one run following his Doomben 10 000 win in May, and that effort in the McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley in September was to have serious consequences for his career, with a gluteal muscle injury he sustained during the run bringing an abrupt end to any thought of a Everest title defence.

And the healing process has taken longer than expected.

Douglas however remains hopeful that the results of next week’s scan will provide a positive turning point moving forward.

"If we can get the all-clear, hopefully tick that box, then we can start to plan a program for the horse,” Clayton told Racing.com, while at the same time clearly stressing that Giga Kick would not be ready for race action any time soon ... but, all being well, the TJ Smith in April and another tilt at the Brisbane Winter Carnival are potential targets that might be pencilled in.

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