Giga Kick extended his unbeaten record to five in the most emphatic circumstances, claiming Saturday's $15 million Everest (1200m) at Randwick as Australia's champion sprinter Nature Strip finished fourth.
Clayton Douglas, aged 27, became the first Victorian trainer to conquer the Everest while nine-time Melbourne champion jockey Craig Williams won Australia's richest race for the first time.
"I had a lot of confidence in this horse. He's a really good horse, he's a superstar," Douglas told SKY Thoroughbred Central.
"He's such a professional and you can see today, with the 53kg when ridden like that, he's electric. It's a bit of a whirlwind, but he wasn't in the race to make the numbers up and I had a lot of faith in him.
"Watch out, the new kid is on the block."
Giga Kick ($21) settled third-last under Williams as Eduardo led away from the inside rail at a fast pace, with Nature Strip ($1.90 favourite) settling at his girth.
Eduardo surrendered his advantage upon straightening, with Nature Strip asked to win the race by James McDonald at the 300-metre mark, but the eight-year-old Nicconi gelding couldn't hold off the swoopers.
Private Eye ($12) was first to overhaul Nature Strip but Giga Kick had the last say, winning by a long neck, with Mazu ($18) claiming third from Nature Strip on the line, a further half-length away.
Jacquinot ($9) surged nearest the inside rail for fifth, Masked Crusader ($9) was never in contention after missing the start by three lengths to finish ninth, and Eduardo ($9.50) faded to finish 11th in the 12-horse field.
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Australian Turf Club
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