Clayton Douglas open to Everest talks after Giga Kick scores emotional win in Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield

He’d be happy to discuss a late deal to run Giga Kick after his emotional first-up win in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.

“They can call me. We’ll have a chat anyway,” Douglas said.

“Give me a call, surely they’ll know my number.

“He is a champ. To do what he’s done in his career and come back and win first up, it was a good effort.”

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The Everest talk might be a bit too late for Giga Kick to have a chance to win Australia’s richest race for the second time, but the chestnut produced a special moment for Douglas in the Schillaci Stakes.

Douglas has had countless issues with the powerful six-year-old, which have kept Giga Kick to only 17 starts, but the Schillaci Stakes was a reminder of the sprinter’s class.

Giga Kick was short of peak fitness but he was simply too classy for his opposition, headed by the $2.80 favourite Tropicus, who tried hard but was no match for the triple Group 1 winner.

Amazingly, the Schillaci Stakes triumph was Giga Kick’s first win since the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in May 2023.

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“It’s a relief, to be honest. I’m going to get emotional,” Douglas said.

“He’s been a lot of hard work.

“There’s a lot of work that goes behind the scenes. I have to thank everyone; the whole Pinecliff Racing team, all my staff.

“I’ve had multiple problems with him, to get him back and win first up today, he’s in for a massive prep.”

Douglas said Giga Kick would probably head to the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington before a possible tilt at the rescheduled Group 1 CF Orr Stakes in November.

Originally published as Clayton Douglas open to Everest talks after Giga Kick scores emotional win in Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield