Shoot Out will resume racing in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick
High Chaparral four-year-old Shoot Out enjoyed great success at last year’s Autumn Racing Carnival winning both the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and the Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) as a three-year-old.
The following season the John Wallace-trained champ won first up in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield in July and then scored victory next start in the Group 2 JJ Liston Stakes (1400m) a fortnight later.
Shoot Out finished no worse than fourth at his next five starts including a gallant third, beaten by less than half a length by Zipping, in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (200m) at Flemington on October 3.
Last start, however, Shoot Out failed to perform over the testing ‘two miles’ of the iconic Melbourne Cup and could only manage to finish 13th behind Americain after which they were sent for a break.
Connections including owners Graham and Linda Huddy have named the 2011 TJ Smith Stakes on Australian Derby Day as Shoot Out’s first-up assignment as he prepares to make a comeback.
Other runners heading towards this year’s TJ Smith Stakes include the Gai Waterhouse-trained Swift Alliance, seven-year-old mare Hot Danish and the world’s top-rated sprinter Black Caviar.
Shoot Out has an ambitious programme planned out for him with the weight-for-age Group 1 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.
Wallace has pencilled in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at Shoot Out’s home track on the Gold Coast and then the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) as the two primary goals during May for his stable star.
Last year the Chris Waller-trained Metal Bender claimed the Hollindale Stakes / Doomben Cup double and Wallace is out to emulate the same this year with Shoot Out.
Check Luxbet during the winter for markets on this exciting betting double.
In-form hoop Corey Brown, aboard for Shoot Out’s last three runs in the spring, has again been booked to ride the four-year-old during autumn.
To date Shoot Out has won seven of his 19 career starts earning in excess of $1.8 million in prize money.
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Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography
