Racing: Shoot Out ready to fire

BRISBANE - Queensland trainer John Wallace is counting down the days before exciting prospect Shoot Out makes his comeback ahead of long-range plans to contest the AJC Australian Derby.

Wallace declared Shoot Out was the best horse he had trained after the gelding won the group two Sires' Produce stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm in May.

The son of staying sire High Chaparral then started favourite for the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm the following month but his performance was dulled by a heavy track and he laboured home to finish seventh, five lengths behind winner Linky Dink.

Wallace has been a successful trainer in Queensland for more than 30 years and his former best horse was Oompala, who won four cups races in Queensland before finishing third to Jeune in the 1994 Melbourne Cup.

Shoot Out was nominated for Eagle Farm last Saturday but Wallace decided he would delay his comeback. "He'll resume next month in the Gold Edition and will then go on to the Vo Rogue before the Magic Millions Trophy.

"He's been in work a while now and he's matured a lot since the Sires' and is coming along nicely.

- AAP