The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick has quickly established itself as one of Australia’s major sporting spectacles and it attracted the biggest crowd in half a century on Saturday. The official attendance was 46 221.
This afternoon’s sixth running produced an amazing result when three-year-old Giga Kick maintained his unbeaten record by storming over the top of his rivals to claim the A$6.2 million first prize.
Giga Kick unleashes a stunning surge wide out under Craig Williams (Pic – Australian Turf Club)
The most inexperienced trainer with the youngest horse in the field trumped the world’s best sprinters.
In one of the most thrilling big-races in years, Clayton Douglas and his unbeaten colt Giga Kick reigned supreme in the A$15m The TAB Everest (1200m) before a record crowd of more than 46,221, breaking the record crowd that attended Winx’s retirement of 43,833.
Douglas, 27, has only been training for two years, he has prepared a total of 27 career winners and is still chasing his first Group 1 success – but now he is an Everest champion.
Watch the race here:
Giga Kick doesn’t even turn three by birth date until Wednesday, he had never been tested outside his own age group – but he became the first unbeaten winner of The Everest.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. This Everest looked Nature Strip’s for the taking, particularly after second favourite Lost And Running was scratched due to injury on race morning – but no one told Douglas.
“I had a lot of confidence in this horse, he is a really good horse. He’s a superstar,” Douglas said.
Giga Kick unleashed a stunning surge wide out under champion jockey Craig Williams to run down Private Eye right on the line to win by long neck with Mazu a half length away third.
Nature Strip was sent out the favourite but was kept three wide without cover through the race before he raced to the front over the rise.
Remarkably, the prize pool for The Everest meant Nature Strip earned $1m which took his career earnings over $20m.
Williams becomes the first jockey to add The Everest to his grand slam wins in the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup (twice), Cox Plate and Golden Slipper – and it was his endorsement of Giga Kick that convinced connections to aim him at The Everest.
Williams said The Everest concept has changed Australian racing forever.
“They really promote this race. In the five years now, this is the sixth running, you can see how much good promotion is doing,” Williams said.
“The racing is thriving, people are seeing how much love we have for the equine athlete, the thoroughbred and what goes into it. This is another great story and every time you see these horses line up it’s a privilege for a rider to have a ride in this race.”
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Jamie Barkley said Royal Randwick’s modern-day record crowd – the biggest in many decades – has established The TAB Everest as Sydney’s major day of racing.
“Royal Randwick has hosted its biggest and best day of racing in modern history. The buzz and atmosphere of the crowd was electric from before the first race and right through the day,’’ Mr Barkley said.
“Royal Randwick has never heard or felt such a roar with a fantastic atmosphere and this exciting raceday is now cemented as one of the best days of the Sydney spring.
“The noise from the crowd as the gates opened for The TAB Everest has set a new benchmark in the raceday experience.’’
TAB Everest week was heralded by a spectacular drone show on Sydney Harbour and interest in the race has been at fever pitch leading into today’s meeting on a picture-perfect afternoon.
TAB Everest Day also attracted strong international interest with today’s coverage beamed to nearly 70 different countries around the globe via Sky Racing.
Tabcorp Managing Director & CEO, Adam Rytenskild, said: “The TAB Everest Raceday is one of the world’s great race meetings.
“Every year this race seizes the attention of racing fans and the broader public, and we are proud to have brought the A$15 million sprint to audiences throughout Australia and the world through Sky Racing.
