Shoot Out notched career Group One win number three but his first for new trainer Chris Waller when he romped away with Saturday’s Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm.
Waller fought back tears after watching the recent stable addition race away from stablemate Danleigh to win by two lengths in a dominant performance.
“I am just the one lucky enough to take the credit for today,” an emotional Waller said moments after the victory.
“Thanks to the owners for giving him to me to train, it is a privilege to train a Derby winner and getting him back to Group One form.”
“Full credit to the owners, it wasn’t an easy decision,” Waller added. “(Former trainer) John Wallace has done a great job with the horse so for them to give me the chance to take over and give the horse a change of scenery, full credit to them.”
Raced by Queensland couple Graham and Linda Huddy, Shoot Out ($5) sat fourth for much of the race before coming with a strong run in the straight to hit the front and then race clear.
When the finish line was reached the classy five-year-old held a two length advantage over stablemate and proven multiple Group One winner Danleigh ($7.50).
Trusting ($7) was a further length and a quarter back in third place, while the favourite, reigning Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker ($2.40) struggled home in sixth place, almost six lengths from the winner.
Shoot Out’s winning rider Hugh Bowman described the two length success as “dominant.”
“I must admit I had mixed feelings about how he would go today,” the star jockey said.
“I felt he could have done more his last two runs, but you have to remember he was chasing an out and out sprinter (in Rain Affair) and this guy is a mile
An incredible $15,000 bargain buy from the Oaklands Stud draft at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Shoot Out sent his earnings soaring over $2.2 million with his latest victory.
A son of High Chaparral, Shoot Out is one of two group winners from three runners for the once winner Pentamerous.
A daughter of influential New Zealand sire Pentire, Pentamerous is a half sister to the Craiglee Stakes winner and Adelaide Cup runner-up Native Jazz.
Shoot Out wasn’t the only Magic Millions graduate successful on the Warwick Farm card.
Earlier both Kinnersley and Al Dharfra impressed at good each way odds for the Gai Waterhouse and Guy Walter stable respectively.
Winner: Shoot Out
Breeding: High Chaparral-Pentamerous (Pentire)
Race: ATC Chipping Norton Stakes G1 (1600m)
Sold for: $15,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Oaklands Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Linda Huddy
Earnings: $2,208,950
Owner(s): GL & Mrs LF Huddy
Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill)
