Queensland Derby winner Shootoff will be on trial for a trip to Hong Kong in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington.
The four-year-old was among the original entries for the Melbourne Cup but that plan was abandoned as connections thought such a race came a bit too soon in his career.
However, trainer Graeme Rogerson said the Hong Kong International Vase (2400m) in December was a target for Shootoff who is the highest-rated horse in Saturday’s 2600m Group Three race.
The Vase is also on the agenda for 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain who ran fourth in this year’s Cup.
“If he runs well I want to take him to Hong Kong,” Rogerson said.
“It might be a year too soon for him, but he’s going well and we’ll see after Saturday.
“The 2400-metre race at the international meeting is where I’d like to see him.”
Managing owner, Sydney restaurateur Pasquale Stramandinoli, thought Shootoff was too immature for this year’s Melbourne Cup.
“There’s next year for that,” Rogerson said.
English horse Bauer, who missed a start in the Melbourne Cup by less than $1000 prize money, will be among Shootoff’s opponents on Saturday.
Australia will be nine-year-old Bauer’s new home with the end of his racing career imminent.
His Luca Cumani-trained stablemate Sahara Sun, who was taken out of the Melbourne Cup by the stable, will also run in the Queen Elizabeth.
Bauer has been heavily backed to win the Queen Elizabeth with Michael Rodd to replace the suspended Corey Brown.
He was in to $2 on Friday afternoon ahead of Macedonian ($5.50) who also missed a start in the Cup when second to Niwot in the final qualifier, the Lexus Stakes.
Anudjawan is at $9.50 with Shootoff a $10 chance.
Shootoff will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy who was aboard when he finished midfield in the Caulfield Cup.
AAP TURF
