Today’s announcement from the Chris Waller stable to retire Shoot Out will force the weights for the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 5 to be raised 1kg, with jockey Blake Shinn the big beneficiary.
Shoot Out winning the 2012 George Main Stakes at Randwick, one of his 5 G1 victories. Photo by Steve Hart.
Shinn has been the regular rider for the Guy Walter trained Toydini, who is the current $5.50 favourite for the Epsom Handicap, but was unable to make the 53kg which included a 1kg penalty for winning the Group 3 $150,000 Summer Bright Lager Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle last week.
But now with the non-appearance of Shoot Out, who was handicapped with 58kgs for the Epsom, all the weights will have to be raised 1kg so Sincero, originally weighted on 57kg, will carry the stipulated topweight of 58kg.
Waller and the connections of Shoot Out decided to end the star studded career of the five time Group 1 winner after he faded in the straight to finish ninth of nine in the Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, the race he won last year.
“A decision has been made today by the owners and myself to retire Shoot Out following a very successful career. The horse came to me as a proven top level performer and it was a pleasure and a privilege to be associated with him,” Waller said.
“He was the winner of an AJC Derby, Randwick Guineas, two Chipping Norton Stakes’ and a George Main Stakes.
“In addition he won a Queensland Sires Produce Stakes, Royal Sovereign Stakes, JJ Liston Stakes and Bletchingly Stakes.
“He has performed at the highest level for five years which is testament to all of those that have been involved in his career.”
Shoot Out had earned over $3 million in prizemoney for owners Graham and Linda Huddy and the seven year old will be retired in good health to their Queensland property, Peachester Lodge.
Shoot Out won ten races from thirty-seven starts at distances ranging from 1200m to the 2400m of the Group 1 $1.5m David Jones Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
His other Group 1 victories were the $500,000 Royal Randwick Guineas and the $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) also at Randwick and the 2012 and 2013 $350,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm.
