Queensland Derby winner Shootoff will have to buck recent history if he is to be a force in the major Cups races this spring.
The Graeme Rogerson-trained four-year-old will launch his spring carnival campaign in the Group Two Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
In recent years Queensland Derby winners have struggled to figure in the major spring staying races as four-year-olds.
Lachlan River won the Brisbane feature in 2005 and was fifth to Makybe Diva in that year’s Melbourne Cup while 2000 winner Freemason finished sixth to Brew at Flemington and fourth to Diatribe in the Caulfield major.
But outside that pair, the Cup pickings have been slim.
Shootoff showed he might just be the horse to break the hoodoo with his close-up fourth behind Scenic Shot, My Kingdom Of Fife and Glass Harmonium in the Doomben Cup in May, a start prior to his Derby triumph.
He will again tackle weight-for-age company on Saturday but Rogerson’s foreman Roger Elliott will simply be happy to see Shootoff finding the line.
“He looks really good and he’s done well, we’ll get an idea on Saturday of where he’s at, although it’s not really a suitable distance for him,” Elliott said.
“As long as he is getting home I’ll be happy.”
Elliott said Shootoff had a three-week break after his Queensland Derby win and would have some residual fitness from his winter campaign.
Michael Rodd was aboard for the Group One victory but is required at Moonee Valley on Saturday when his mounts include up-and-coming stayer December Draw for Mark Kavanagh.
In his absence Tye Angland, visiting from Hong Kong, has picked up the Warwick Stakes mount.
Premier trainer Chris Waller, who produced the trifecta in the Warwick Stakes last year with Metal Bender beating Triple Honour and Danleigh, will have two runners in the feature on Saturday in stayer Hawk Island and Triple Elegance.
Triple Elegance will be second-up following a sound sixth to Rain Affair in the Missile Stakes (1200m) while Hawk Island has not raced since the Sydney Cup when he was involved in a two-horse fall.
“Triple Elegance’s first run was good and he will appreciate the extra trip and getting up to 1400 metres on Saturday,” Waller said.
“Hawk Island will obviously need the run. The Hill Stakes looks to be a perfect race for him third-up.”
Hawk Island is at $41 on Saturday although Triple Elegance is being kept safe at $7.
Shootoff is a $23 chance with markets narrowly headed by the Grahame Begg-trained Ilovethiscity at $4.20, just ahead of Darley’s Pinwheel at $4.40.
The pre-post favourite will be examined by Racing NSW veterinarian Craig Suann on Friday to determine his fitness to start after he trod on a nail on Wednesday.
AAP TURF
