Giga Kick will target a second Everest win, aiming to join Redzel as the only dual winners of the $20 million race.
The Australian Turf Club has leased its Everest slot to owner Jonathan Munz for the October 19 event at Royal Randwick.
Trained by Clayton Douglas, Giga Kick, the 2022 Everest champion, returned last month after a lengthy layoff due to a hip injury, finishing fifth in the Concorde Stakes.
The five-year-old gelding recently won a Canterbury barrier trial and will complete his Everest preparation in this Saturday’s Group 2 Premiere Stakes.
Champion jockey James McDonald, impressed by Giga Kick’s trial performance, said the gelding is “ready to explode.” Munz, speaking from New York, confirmed they’ve always planned for Giga Kick to peak for The Everest, saying he expects a strong showing on Saturday.
Giga Kick is currently priced at $7 for The Everest, behind favourite I Wish I Win ($5).