Giga Kick to sidestep Blue Diamond despite debut win at Sale
Despite giving his rivals a galloping lesson on debut at Sale on Sunday, Clayton Douglas’ two-year-old Giga Kick won’t be heading towards the Blue Diamond Stakes in a fortnight.
The gelded son of Scissor Kick stepped out in a 2YO Maiden at Sale and led from barrier to box, recording a dominant 4.25-length victory in the 1100m event and posting a faster time than the 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate over the same trip.
On debut 💨
Giga Kick absolutely spanks them at Sale 😶@jamieleekah07 @Dougie_5 pic.twitter.com/j7rFLHo5KF
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 13, 2022
Given the nature of his debut victory, the Blue Diamond looked the obvious next step for the talented youngster, but he doesn’t hold a nomination for the race, nor do connections plan on forking out for the late nomination fee.
Giga Kick is owned by Pinecliff Racing, and the syndicate manager took to Twitter to announce that the horse won’t be heading towards the $1.5 million Caulfield feature on February 26.
“Save the debate. WONT be happening,” Rocket Douglas said.
Save the debate. WONT be happening!
— Rocket Douglas (@RocketDouglas) February 13, 2022
Despite Pinecliff Racing saying their promising gelding won’t head to the Blue Diamond, the galloper’s jockey, Jamie Kah, believes he can measure up at the highest level.
“I wouldn’t be putting any doubt in their mind after that,” she told Racing.com.
“I think he has the class and ability, it’s just whether he comes on from this.
“It’s hard with this boy because he’s just so relaxed so in his work we never knew how good he was because we’ve never really tested him.
“Today I think he still wasn’t fully tested, he had his ears pricked the whole way.”
The picture for the Blue Diamond became a little bit clear after Saturday, which saw the running of both the Colts & Geldings and the Fillies editions of the Blue Diamond Prelude.
Lofty Strike kept his unbeaten record intact with a strong win against the boys, while Peter & Paul Snowden’s Revolutionary Miss claimed an emphatic victory against the girls.
Despite disappointing as favourite in the Colts & Geldings race, Jacquinot remains favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes at $5.50 with , while Lofty Strike ($6), Sebonack ($7) and Revolutionary Miss ($9) round out the two-year-olds that are single figures for the Group 1 feature.