Talented three year old gelding 'Shoot Out' will tomorrow be looking to end trainer John Wallace's 28 year Group 1 drought in the $350,000 Randwick Guineas.
Wallace's only victory at elite level was with 'Mother Of Pearl' in the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm in 1982. Shoot Out was sent to Sydney with similar success in mind and is starting to re-pay the faith.
At his first run after a let up, the highly touted son of 'High Chaparral' won the Group 2 Royal Sovereign stakes in blistering fashion. This superb form continued a fortnight later, finishing a fast closing second in the Hobartville stakes, also at Group 2 level.
As pointed out by jockey Stathi Katsidis, the Hobartville performance was a clear sign that over more ground, he will be an even better horse.
“I think once we get to the longer distance you'll see the real Shoot Out. What we've seen of him so far is a taste of what he is.”
Katsidis went on to say that, “Barring bad luck I really think he should win the race", affirming Wallace's confidence that his drought may nearly be over.
Bookies have agreed with these sentiments, posting him as the $4 favourite for race, ahead of the Peter Moody trained 'Hanks' at $9.
Wallace is keen to stick to the Derby path with Shoot Out, via the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas on March 27. He has also paid up for the Doncaster Handicap on the advice of top jockey Kerrin McEvoy. Either option seems plausible, and hopefully Wallace will be back in the winners stall before to long.
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