Friday 16 October 2026
Evening Edition
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
Australia

Seven-year-old Giga Kick poised for Everest upset on wet track

Trainer Clayton Douglas dares to dream as rain could level the field against favourite Ka Ying Rising

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
Seven-year-old gelding Giga Kick, winner of The Everest in 2022 and runner-up in 2024, could spring an upset in Saturday's $20 million sprint at Randwick if rain turns the track heavy, trainer Clayton Douglas has said.

Clayton Douglas did not expect to have 2022 Everest winner Giga Kick back for another assault two years later, when it was runner-up, let alone for a third attempt on Saturday at seven years old. And he is not expecting the winner of $15.5 million to upset "generational" talent Ka Ying Rising or brilliant mare Tempted in the $20 million Everest (1200m) at Randwick. But on a potential heavy surface, the Victorian trainer is daring to dream that his wet-track marvel can add another successful chapter to his Everest story.

"He's actually got the best record out of this field in this race ... so far," Douglas said, with the prospect of Ka Ying Rising likely winning back-to-back titles on Saturday to join Redzel as the only two-time champions.

"Third would be a great result, but you know how Sydney works. If they get a downpour raceday, it's a wet track and Ka Ying doesn't handle it, something happens with Tempted, you just don't know. It's still a horse race.

"You saw Sheza Alibi get beat the other day, and no one thought she would get beat by Land Legend [in the Might And Power]. They are animals, and they can have an off day, although he's going to have to have a very off day to get beat."

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • A Giga Kick upset would shake up the betting markets and deliver a stirring story for racing fans, as the seven-year-old veteran defies his long odds.
  • The result could influence the breeding and training of wet-track specialists, highlighting the importance of track conditions in sprint racing.
  • Ka Ying Rising's attempt at back-to-back Everest wins adds historic significance to the race.

Background

The Everest is Australia's richest turf race, a $20 million sprint run at Royal Randwick in Sydney. First held in 2017, it operates on a slot-holder system. Giga Kick won as a three-year-old in 2022 and returned to run second in 2024. This year's field includes Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising, regarded as a "generational" talent, and the in-form mare Tempted. Weather forecasts suggest rain may produce a heavy track, which traditionally suits some horses more than others.

Key Perspectives

[Trainer Clayton Douglas]: Hopes the heavy track will neutralise the favourites, believing Giga Kick's wet-track ability gives him a genuine chance. He acknowledges third is a great result but leaves the door open for an upset. [Ka Ying Rising and Tempted connections]: Will be confident of victory on a dry track, but rain introduces uncertainty. Ka Ying Rising's camp will want firm ground to showcase his speed. [Critics/Skeptics]: Giga Kick is a seven-year-old at $34 odds, past his peak, and would need both favourites to underperform. The trainer himself concedes the favourite would need a "very off day" to lose.

What to Watch

  • The weather forecast and official track rating on raceday morning.
  • How Ka Ying Rising handles any rain-affected ground, having not raced on heavy going.
  • The barrier draw for Giga Kick, as a wide gate on a wet track would make his task even harder.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workSubscribe