Giga Kick Stays Perfect in Vain Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday August 13

Striking chestnut gelding Giga Kick extended his unbeaten run to three when running down the speedball Alpha One in Saturday's $200,000 Group III Stow Storage Solutions Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

Gotcha! - Giga Kick edges out Alpha One (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Craig Williams, the 3yo son of Scissor Kick had five lengths to make up on Alpha One rounding the home. He knuckled down to his task to edge Alpha One (Super One) by a long-head with a further two and a quarter lengths back to Mullane (Zoustar), who finished powerfully from the tale of the field.

Advertisement

A dominant winner of his first two starts at Sale and Flemington, Giga Kick credited his trainer Clayton Douglas with his first stakes winner.

"There were a lot of nerves today, and I'd like to thank (owner) Jonathon (Munz) and the team," Douglas said.

"Seeing him rip like that, I think we have a serious horse on our hands.
"I didn't think they went all that quickly. I was a little worried about being three pairs back, one off. He is such a good jockey, Craig just kept him balanced, and when he asked for the ultimate effort, he still had plenty left in the straight.

Giga Kick always catches the eye in the paddock (image Grant Courtney)

"I think the second horse is very good, so it might be a good form race.

"We will get him home and have a look at him. He is still an immature type. He hasn't come in the coat completely, so there is nice improvement.

"I will get over today. I think I need a beer to be honest. I will speak to 'Rocket' (Douglas) and Jonathon (Munz) (about future plans)."

Giga Kick was bred by Munz's GSA Bloodstock, which also bred his sire Scissor Kick.

He is the sixth winner for the imported Royal Applause mare Rekindled Applause (GB), who arrived in Australia alongside his mother Rekindled Affair (Rainbow Quest).

Rekindled Affair (IRE) left two stakes-winners before her importation. Her first foal in Australia was hugely talented Rekindled Interest (Redoute's Choice), who won the Group II MVRC Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes and Group II AAMI Vase and was second in the ATC George Ryder Stakes and third in the MVRC WS Cox Plate. 

Scissor Kick (image Mark Smith)

Rekindled Applause (GB) was stakes-placed four times in Italy.

Her six winners include the stakes-placed Rekindled Power and Shuffle Up, and her daughter Lago Ovation (Encosta de Lago) is the dam of Yulong Stud's Group 1 MRC CF Orr Stakes winner Alabama Express.

Rekindled Applause (GB) has a weanling colt by Pariah.

Giga Kick is the second stakes winner for Scissor Kick (Redoute's Choice) who stood at Arrowfield Stud for four seasons. He shuttled to Haras d'Etreham in France and did not return to Australia after covering 29 mares in 2019.

Advertisment

Race Result - Stow Storage Sols. Vain Stakes Gr3 1100m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:02.81
1
Giga Kick
- 3g Scissor Kick (AUS) x Rekindled Applause (GB) (Royal Applause (GB))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: Craig Williams 56
2
0.2
Alpha One
- 3c Super One (AUS) x Cash First (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Damian Lane 56
3
2.5
Millane
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Fireworks (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: L Nolen 57
Zoustar
4
3.2
Cannonball
- 3c Capitalist (AUS) x Golconda (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 57
5
4.7
Thron Bone
- 3g Thronum (AUS) x Thorsborne (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: Jerome Hunter Rdr: Will Price 56
6
5.4
Man In The Mirror
- 3c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x One More Honey (AUS) (Onemorenomore (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Jamie Kah 56
7
5.5
Semillion
- 3c Shalaa (IRE) x Sistonic (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
More Reading...
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Giga Kick Claims His Group 1
Third in the Group II Challenge Stakes and second in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes, Giga Kick revisited the winner's circle for the first time since his Everest triumph when earning a Group 1 victory in Saturday's All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
He's a Star - Giga Kick Captures Doomben 10000
A champion's qualities were on show at Doomben on Saturday when Giga Kick claimed his second Group 1 in the $1,500,000 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 (1200m).
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Giga Kick Wins The Everest
Three-year-old gelding Giga Kick scored a fast-finishing win in the $14,000,000 The TAB Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday to keep his record at a perfect five for five.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.