Trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson capped one of the best weeks of his career when Shootoff won the $500,000 Group One Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm yesterday.
Rogerson won last week's Queensland Oaks with Scarlett Lady and Shootoff's win justified the trainer's decision not to back the filly up against the colts and geldings in the Derby on Saturday.
Confidently ridden by former Brisbane jockey Michael Rodd, Shootoff ($3.60 fav) sprinted quickly to find the lead shortly after straightening and then held off a determined bid from Shez Sinsational ($6) to score by a long head.
Victorian filly Heidilicious ($4.20) finished a long head back third.
"I thought he might need a shower of rain to produce his best but he's still won on the dry," Rogerson said.
"It just shows how good Scarlett Lady is - she's a better horse than he is but we'll savour this moment for now."
Rodd won back-to-back Derbys after his win on Dariana last year.
Racing: Rogerson adds Derby to Oaks
Trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson. Photo / Michael Cunningham
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