Why confident Douglas is all-in on Giga Kick for Manikato

After a disappointing first-up run in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m), finishing 10th, fan favourite Giga Kick returns at wide odds for his second-up run on Sunday.

The seven-year-old is one of the headliners in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), and trainer Clayton Douglas is very hopeful the gelding can get the job done in the $2 million sprint.

In fact, Douglas forgave the son of Scissor Kick for his Moir run and explained the rise in distance here and barrier (4) should work wonders for Giga.

“(The Moir) was a funny old race. They ran good time from the front, so it was probably really mathematically impossible to get into the race,” Douglas told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“Look, he still ran a good time. He seemed to have pulled up well. He's improved from the run.

“So, stepping up to 1200m is a big advantage to him. He's obviously much better suited out in trip, and from that good alley on Sunday, I'm expecting him to run very well.

“It looks to map pretty well for us. Where he's drawn and with the dangers around him, it looks that he should get a pretty good run.”

The trainer even emphasised how confident he is in his horse, listing out a multitude of reasons why Giga Kick can salute.

“I am (confident),” exclaimed Douglas.

“He's going well. I think he's in great order. I can't fault the horse. His work's been good. He's taken the benefit from his first-up run. Out at the 1200m, he's unbeaten at Caulfield.

“I've always got confidence when I take Giga to the races, that's for sure.”

Clayton Douglas went all-in on Giga Kick for his $100 Giddy Up staking plan!