Shootoff has taken out today’s Group 1 Queensland Derby ahead of the fast finishing Shez Sensational in second position and Heidilicious in third.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Rodd made it back-to-back victories in the Group One Queensland Derby when Shootoff scored a gutsy win in the $500,000 feature at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Rodd made it back-to-back victories in the Group One Queensland Derby when Shootoff scored a gutsy win - Photo by Steve Hart
The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Shootoff, fourth in the Doomben Cup last start, dug deep to hold off late charges from fillies Shez Sinsational and Heidilicious.
Rodd, who won the Melbourne Cup on the Rogerson-trained Efficient in 2007, won last year’s Queensland Derby on the Bart Cummings-trained Dariana.
He jumped Shootoff away smartly and had the son of Duelled perfectly placed in sixth and seventh places until turning for home.
The gelding strode to the front soon after straightening and had enough in hand to stave off the challenges from runner-up Shez Sinsational and third placegetter Heidilicious who both ran home resolutely.
The win was Shootoff’s fourth in 17 starts which have also yielded two placings for prizemoney of $550,000.
AAP TURF
