Racing: Shooting for Derby glory

BRISBANE - Shoot Out will proceed to the AJC Australian Derby.

A breakfast discussion between trainer John Wallace and owners Graham and Linda Huddy yesterday resolved to maintain their preferred course to run Shoot Out in the 2400m Derby on Saturday week.

It was a similar story for trainer Bart Cummings who has decided to target the Derby with Australian Guineas winner Rock Classic after his second to Zabrasive in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last Saturday.

Wallace and Cummings were in two minds whether to stretch their 3-year-olds out to the Derby trip or drop back in distance for the Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick on April 17.

Wallace and the Huddys watched Shoot Out do two laps of the sand track at Randwick yesterday, before making their decision over breakfast to proceed with their original Derby plan.

Shoot Out cast doubt on his ability to stay when only fourth in the Rosehill Guineas.

"It was a hard decision but the more I looked at the video I'm convinced his run last Saturday wasn't that bad," Wallace said. "He pulled hard and went wide on the corner but the race wasn't run to suit him.

"They walked in front and sprinted home and no one made up ground from back in the field on the day."

- AAP