First Win for Giga Kick Sibling

Tara Madgwick - Friday October 25

His sire Pariah has been on a winning roll of late with stakes-winners Lady in Pink and Ostraka and while three year-old gelding Pantoja has a ways to go to equal the deeds of his famous sibling Giga Kick, he is now a winner after bolting in at Mornington on Friday.

Pantoja wins in a breeze at Mornington - image Morgan Hancock / Racing Photos

A homebred for Jonathan Munz’s Pinecliff Racing and trained by Clayton Douglas just like Giga Kick, Pantoja even looks a bit like him with his bright chestnut coat and similar white markings.

Third on debut at Bendigo back in May, Pantoja was sent to Sydney with Giga Kick on his Everest campaign and finished fourth in a maiden at Rosehill at the start of the month.

Advertisement

Fitter and wiser for a trip away, he made light work of the 1200m maiden coasting home to win by more than three lengths with Jamie Mott in the saddle.

Pantoja is the eighth winner from 10 foals to race from stakes-placed import Rekindled Applause (GB), who has found fame and fortune as the dam of $12.5million earning multiple Group I winner Giga Kick and as grand-dam of Group I winner and promising young sire Alabama Express.

He appears to be her final foal.

Advertisment

Race Result - Brian's Shed And Services Mdn Plate 1200m

Mornington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.97
1
Pantoja
- 3g Pariah (AUS) x Rekindled Applause (GB) (Royal Applause (GB))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: J Mott 58
2
3.3
Olney
- 3g Territories (IRE) x Saxy Grace (AUS) (Saxon (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Teodore Nugent 58
3
5.5
Rogan
- 3g Super Seth (AUS) x Tiara (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C I Brown Rdr: J Noonan 58
4
7.8
Twilight Zone
- 3f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Antelucan (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Beau Mertens 56
5
11
Thenardier
- 3c Exceedance (AUS) x Gavroche (AUS) (Snippets (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: K Jennings 58
6
11.1
Zosma
- 3g Zousain (AUS) x Benteeny (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: B Mc Dougall 58
7
36.1
Lovely Sam
- 3c Rothesay (AUS) x Cenotime (AUS) (Gilded Time (USA))
Tnr: F Stockdale Rdr: Christopher Pang 55
More Reading...
G3 Grand Prix Stakes To Snitzel’s Matias – Brother At Magic Millions
Breaking his maiden last time out over 1500m at Newcastle, 3yo Snitzel gelding Matias stepped up both in class and trip to win the $300,000 Group 3 BRC Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm and in the process added a lovely pedigree update to his Magic Millions bound brother.
Almanzor Caulfield Double
Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor (Fr) was credited with a winning double at Caulfield Heath on Saturday when Roadcone held on for an all-the-way victory in the A$130,000 Magic Millions Digital Handicap (1500m) bringing a pedigree update for his half-sister by Ghaiyyath (IRE) that heads to Karaka Book 1 for Curraghmore.
New SW Almanzor - Lux Libertas Wins G2 Manawatu Challenge
Cambridge Stud's Almanzor (Fr) is a sire on fire on Saturday with five winners across Australia and New Zealand including a new stakes-winning mare in Lux Libertas that traces back to an iconic Australian female family.
Sires With Winners - Friday December 19
Here is the full list of 78 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Almanzor Rising Star Touchdown - Half-Brother for Karaka
Caulfield Heath has been a happy hunting ground for promising Kiwi bred four-year-old Touchdown in recent weeks, and the New Zealand-bred son of Almanzor recorded his third consecutive win at the venue in Saturday’s A$80,000 MRC Membership Feel The Thrill Handicap (1800m).
Unit Five Delivers in $250,000 Magic Millions Victoria 2YO
There was a real mixture of tears and happiness for everyone at Widden Stud when the two year-old Supido colt named for the late Stud Manager David Merrick made a winning debut in the $250,000 Magic Millions Victoria 2YO Classic (1100m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday December 20
Here is the full list of 98 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Lara Antipova Wins G2 Challenge – Three-Quarter Brother Inglis Classic
Fortuna Racing look to have another exciting filly on their hands after flashy filly Lara Antipova romped to victory in the Group II Windsor Park Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday bringing an exciting pedigree update for her three-quarter brother headed to 2026 Inglis Classic.
Unbeaten $2.2million Zoustar Filly Poised for Black Type in 2026
The highest priced yearling by champion sire Zoustar sold in 2024 when fetching $2.2million at Inglis Easter, unbeaten filly Plaintiff took another step forward at Randwick on Saturday keeping her record perfect with three wins in as many starts.
10YO Sagunto Wins Third Manawatu Cup
Matamata visitor Sagunto etched his name into the folklore of the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m) when he claimed his third victory in the race with a brilliant front-running performance at Trentham.