Racing: Wallace not listening to Shoot Out's critics

Trainer John Wallace has heard it all and isn't letting critics of last year's AJC Australian Derby winner, Shoot Out, get under his skin.

Shoot Out, who lines up for his last run this campaign in tomorrow's group two Eagle Farm Cup (2200m), has been dubbed overrated and a non-stayer by some of his detractors.

Some have even suggested his 2010 Derby victory came in a bad year for staying 3-year-olds.

Shoot Out has not won since the group two Liston Stakes at Caulfield last August en route to his failed Melbourne Cup campaign.

The Liston Stakes victory was over 1400 metres, a distance some critics suggest is around his best distance.

Shoot Out's form suggests his critics could be right as, apart from the 4-year-old's AJC Australian Derby (2400m) victory, the son of High Chaparral has never won beyond 1600 metres. But Wallace isn't listening and will let Shoot Out do his talking.

"There's nothing wrong with the horse," Wallace said. "He's just been unlucky a few times. There's only six runners [tomorrow] and I'm confident he'll be hard to beat."

* Echoes Of Heaven has been spelled and will not take his place in Saturday week's Group One Queensland Derby.

Trainer Mick Price advised Racing Queensland stewards yesterday that he would not be pressing on with a Brisbane campaign for the South Australian Derby runner-up.

Echoes Of Heaven had been on the third line of TAB Sportsbet's Derby markets at $7.50.

- AAP