Chris Waller has been confirmed as the new trainer for dual Group One winner Shoot Out.
Prepared at the Gold Coast by John Wallace for his career so far, Shoot Out has not raced since finishing second to subsequent Mackinnon Stakes winner Glass Harmonium in the Eagle Farm Cup in June.
The winner of the Randwick Guineas and AJC Australian Derby in 2010, Shoot Out performed admirably the following spring winning the JJ Liston Stakes and finishing fourth in So You Think’s second Cox Plate.
But his form tapered off last autumn and owners Graham and Linda Huddy felt he might benefit from a change.
“The owners have indicated that the horse may benefit from a change of environment after struggling to recapture his best form in the past twelve months,” Waller said in a statement.
“With the upcoming Sydney carnival approaching and the likelihood of him returning to racing sometime throughout this period, it seemed logical to make Sydney his new base.”
Waller, who won the Sydney trainers’ premiership for the first time last season, paid tribute to Wallace’s achievements with Shoot Out.
By So You Think’s sire High Chaparral, Shoot Out has raced 24 times for seven wins and six placings and almost $2 million prize money.
“For any trainer it is difficult to lose such a horse and to my understanding there has certainly been no falling out between the owners and trainer with the owners speaking very highly of Mr Wallace,” Waller said.
AAP TURF
