Dual Group One winner Shoot Out showed he was on target for another autumn carnival in Sydney with a sizzling exhibition gallop at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Shoot Out easily accounted for a stablemate over 600 metres winning by several lengths in a time of 34.59 seconds.
He ran a slashing 10.94 seconds for the final 200 metres and 22.32s for the last 400 metres.
Trainer John Wallace is looking forward to Shoot Out making his comeback in next month’s Group One T J Smith Stakes at Randwick where one of his rivals is likely to be champion mare Black Caviar.
The four-year-old will have one more hitout in a barrier trial at Doomben before heading south.
“Danny Griffin rode him in the exhibition gallop and he hasn’t been on him since he ran in the TJ Smith (Classic) as a two-year-old,” Wallace said.
“Dan was amazed how strong he is now.
“He’ll have a barrier trial at Doomben on March 29 before he heads to Sydney.
“I’m delighted the way he’s come back and I couldn’t be any happier where he is now.”
Corey Brown is expected to be reunited with Shoot Out who will only two starts in Sydney, the other being the Group One All-Aged Stakes at Randwick before he returns home for the Brisbane winter carnival.
The Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on his home track at the Gold Coast and the Group One Doomben Cup (2020m) in May will be the main winter goals.
His last run will be in the Group Two Eagle Farm Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
“He’s come back in fantastic order and I’m sure he’s even improved,” Wallace said.
“He’ll have five runs this campaign in Sydney and Queensland, all at weight-for-age, before he goes for a short break to prepare for the spring in Melbourne.
“I’ll nominate him for everything in Melbourne and see how he’s going at the time before deciding his campaign down there.”
Shoot Out hasn’t started since finishing 13th in the Melbourne Cup won by Americain at Flemington in November.
The Melbourne Cup came after a long spring campaign comprising seven previous starts.
His only wins since the AJC Australian Derby were at the start of his last campaign in the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last July and the Group Two Liston Stakes (1400m) at the same track in August.
AAP TURF
