A barrier trial on Monday will determine where and when multiple Group One winner Shoot Out begins his spring campaign.
Trainer Chris Waller said the Randwick trial would tell him more about the six-year-old’s fitness levels ahead of a tilt at the Group One George Main Stakes (1600m) in two weeks.
If Waller thinks Shoot Out needs it, he could run in Saturday’s Theo Marks Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.
“He is 50-50 to run in the Theo Marks,” Waller said.
“If I think he is fit enough after the trial then he’ll go straight to the George Main first-up.”
Shoot Out has had two recent barrier trials and has been joining stablemates Danleigh and Rangirangdoo on regular trips to Botany Bay to swim.
The change in routine has helped nine-year-old Danleigh who added to his already impressive record with victory in Saturday’s Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm.
His year-younger stable companion Rangirangdoo also performed well at the meeting, running fourth in the Tramway Handicap (1400m) under 61.5kg.
All three are likely to line up in the George Main Stakes at Randwick.
Waller will have three runners in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill – Permit, Stout Hearted and The Verminator – second, third and fourth respectively in the Premier’s Cup behind Gai Waterhouse’s Caulfield Cup contender Glencadam Gold.
All three are being aimed at the Metropolitan (2400m) on October 6 which The Verminator won last year.
Last-start Toy Show Quality winner Dystopia will run in the Theo Marks on Saturday rather than take on More Joyous in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
“We are going to dodge More Joyous,” Waller said.
It will be the mare’s first attempt at 1400 metres since her third race start almost three years ago when she failed in the Reginald Allen.
