Shoot Higher, a relative of last year’s AJC Australian Derby winner Shoot Out, will enhance his chances of earning a Brisbane winter carnival campaign if he impresses trainer John Wallace at Eagle Farm.
Shoot Higher, a Damian Browne mount, will start for only the second time in Wednesday’s Mimiki Foundation Maiden Plate (1200m).
The three-year-old finished a well beaten 11th on debut in a 1400-metre Maiden at the Gold Coast last November.
“He was a bit immature so we gave him one run and put him away for a good break,” Wallace said.
“He had a bad barrier his only start but he showed some early speed and led for a few strides before he weakened.
“I’m not expecting him to win first-up but he’s got the ability to do it and he’ll improve a lot after this run.”
Shoot Higher showed he was primed for a good first-up showing by winning an 1100-metre barrier trial by 3-1/2 lengths at Eagle Farm last month.
Shoot Higher was bought privately by Shoot Out’s owners Graham and Linda Huddy after he was passed in for $49,000 at the New Zealand Select yearling sales in 2009.
“He’ll make a stayer later on,” Wallace said.
Like Shoot Out, Shoot Higher is a son of High Chaparral and is closely related on the maternal side.
Shoot Higher’s mother, Johnny Loves Jazz, is the grand-dam of Shoot Out.
Meanwhile, Wallace will persevere with Shoot Out’s Sydney campaign despite the four-year-old’s disappointing ninth to champion mare Black Caviar in the Group One TJ Smith (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
It was his first start since failing to stay when 13th in last year’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington won by Americain.
“He’s pulled up good after his run behind Black Caviar but I was a bit disappointed,” Wallace said.
“He raced like a few other horses, like Shocking, that ran in the Melbourne Cup and maybe he needs a few runs to hit his straps.”
Wallace will give Shoot Out his final Sydney run in the Group One All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday week but concedes he’s not confident of a form reversal.
“I can’t see him winning the All-Aged Stakes on his last run but he’ll be competitive,” Wallace said.
“He had a big blow after the TJ (Smith) and will be a lot fitter next time.”
Shoot Out will return home after the All-Aged Stakes to run in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 7 before the Group One Doomben Cup (2020m) two weeks later.
Both races are at weight-for-age.
AAP TURF
