Winner: Shoot Out (High Chaparral-Pentamerous by Pentire)

Race: MRC Bletchingly Stakes G3 (1200m)
Sold for: $15,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Oaklands Stud
Buyer: Linda Huddy
Earnings: $1,439,950
Owner(s): GL & Mrs LF Huddy
Trainer: John Wallace (Gold Coast)

Outstanding three-year-old Shoot Out made a stunning return to the racetrack at Caulfield today when he brilliantly won the $125,750 Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m).

At his first run since winning the Group One AJC Derby, Shoot Out raced near the lead throughout, before kicking strongly in the straight and holding out his rivals for an impressive half length victory.

Trained on the Gold Coast by John Wallace, Shoot Out has been in Melbourne for a couple of weeks preparing for a long spring.

Nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the Cox Plate, Shoot Out was sent out a drifting $6.50 chance in his return to the track.

The $15,000 bargain buy from the 2008 Magic Millions Yearling Sale has now won two of his three first up runs and last campaign he won the Royal Sovereign Stakes when fresh.

Wallace sent a warning to his potential spring carnival rivals by saying the rising four-year-old would make massive improvement in his coming races.

“He was nowhere near ready. He continue to improve and improve – I think he’s really, really good.”

“He’s done things that I’ve never seen horses do. He’s just a superstar horse – I love him so much.”

From the inside barrier regular rider Stathi Katsidis was able to position Shoot Out on the inside near the lead throughout and when asked for the effort he kicked strongly in the straight to win.

“I was a bit surprised when he was up there like that, but I told Stathi to just ride his own race,” Wallace added.

“I said it’s up to you mate – he’s a good horse.”

The Liston Stakes in a fortnight, over 1400 metres, would be the next start for the son of High Chaparral.

“We’ll just take it as it comes. We’re not gonna kill him. We want him up there for a while.”

“We’ll run him here in a fortnight – he didn’t seem to have any trouble here – he might like Melbourne!”

Wallace said he wasn’t concerned with those who thought the gelding was back in work too early for his spring campaign.

“He had five weeks off and I’ve brought him along quietly. I haven’t galloped him that much. He’s done a lot of evens and steady work and he swims alot. He’s enjoying life.”

Wallace declared the horse was “by far” the best he’s had anything to do with during his long training career.

Raced by Graham and Linda Huddy, Shoot Out is a graduate of Oaklands Stud and was purchased for just $15,000 from the Gold Coast by Linda.

“We looked at the catalogue and picked him out – he was QTIS and that quited us – and he was a lovely horse – so we got him,” Linda Huddy said.

“He’s the best $15,000 I’ve spent – that’s for sure.”

“Johnny has done a great job training him and he said he would run well today – and the horse has done such a great job,” she added.

Winning rider Stathi Katsidis said the star Queensland galloper had come back “bigger and better” than ever.

“He’s a special horse to me and that was a fantastic win,” Katsidis said after the race. “I knew when I rode him in a trial the other day he was going well.”

“Hopefully when he stretches out (in distance) later in the preparation he can settle well and then he will be able to unleash his blistering finish.”

A half brother to the West Australian Oaks winner Cassandara Shadow, Shoot Out is from the grand producing Pentire mare Pentamerous.

Four tomorrow, Shoot Out boasts an outstanding record of six wins and two minor placings from just 12 starts. He’s earned $1.439 million.