Racing: Shoot Out comes with guns blazing and right on target

SYDNEY - Queensland jockey Stathi Katsidis labelled Shoot Out a potential champion after he claimed his second group one victory in the AJC Australian Derby at Randwick.

His win was also a triumph for trainer John Wallace who elected to push on to the Derby (2400m) and not bring Shoot Out back in distance to the Doncaster Mile (1600m), despite his shock defeat as favourite in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last start.

Katsidis came to Sydney primarily to partner Military Rose and was a dejected figure just seven days ago when she was unplaced as favourite in the Golden Slipper.

Katsidis, who has had a turbulent career, readily admitted Shoot Out was his second-string carnival ride but the 3-year-old turned out to be his meal ticket, winning the group one Randwick Guineas and Saturday's Derby. "He could be a champion," Katsidis said.

"I know it's a word that's thrown around a bit but he's got the breeding, he's won over 2400m now and he could even run two miles down the track.

"Military Rose was a bit of a let-down, she just raced like a tired horse.

"I always thought this horse was the back-up but it turns out he is the main one."

An emotional Wallace trained his first winner 46 years ago and before this season his last group one victory was with Mother Of Pearl in the 1982 Queensland Oaks.

He rated Shoot Out's Classic win as the highlight of his career and hoped the 3-year-old could develop into a cups' horse next spring.

"Maybe the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, who knows?" Wallace said.

"It's a big thrill, some great champions have won this race and some good trainers. I feel pretty humbled.

"Stathi kept telling me to take the pacifiers off him and I was bit stubborn but I finally listened."

Katsidis allowed Shoot Out ($4.80) to find his feet early but said "he pulled too hard to be confident" in the run.

However, the A$15,000 yearling purchase conserved enough energy to run down the Gai Waterhouse-trained Descarado ($7.50) and score by 1 lengths with Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul ($12) showing a return to form for third another neck away.

"We are as delighted as if we had won it, it's just as good," Waterhouse said. "We bought him as a Melbourne Cup horse and that's what he's being set for."

Shoot Out's win was also a boon for Coolmore Stud which secured his sire High Chaparral to stand at its NSW Hunter Valley base from next spring.

They have yet to set a service fee for the shuttle stallion who had served two seasons in New Zealand. High Chaparral captured the Derby trifecta, also being the sire of Descarado and Monaco Consul.

Trainer John O'Shea gained some consolation for Zabrasive's Derby defeat when Jessicabeel confirmed her status as a leading Sydney Cup contender with victory in the Chairman's Handicap.

Favourite Zabrasive ($3.70) finished fourth in the Derby, but the smile was back on O'Shea's face after Jessicabeel's group two victory over 2600m.

"It was a great ride by Craig Williams," O'Shea said.

"She is right on track for the Sydney Cup.

"We didn't get the same run in the Derby but credit where credit's due, the winner is exceptional."

Williams brought Jessicabeel ($12) from near last at the top of the straight.

She lengthened stride and went on to beat 2008 Sydney Cup winner No Wine No Song ($5.50) by two lengths with last year's AJC Australian Derby runner-up Harris Tweed ($5.50) another head away third.

Capecover ($20) put in strong performance for fourth with the favourite Precedence ($2.25) fifth after pulling hard during the race.

Kevin Moses was happy with No Wine No Song but dismayed at the 59kg topweight he had to carry.

Kiwi trainer Murray Baker and jockey Michael Rodd were both pleased with Harris Tweed who ran a solid fifth in last year's Melbourne Cup over the 3200m of the Sydney Cup. "He is on the right track and if we get wet ground, even better," Baker said.

- AAP