AJC Derby winner Shoot Out gets his chance to re-enter the winners circle in the Group 1 $350,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm tomorrow according to jockey Hugh Bowman.
Sydney’s leading ride Bowman has been aboard Shoot Out for his two starts for trainer Chris Waller this campaign and says he is ready to fire with race fitness and stepping up to a more suitable distance.
“His runs have sound and he is getting up to a more suitable trip and will be meeting similar opposition under better circumstances,” Bowman said.
“I can’t fault him. He’s run a third and second and it is hard to be too critical.”
“We want to see him stand up and be counted and I think he will.”
Shoot Out was having his first run for Waller when third to Rain Affair in the Group 2 $200,000 TAB Sportsbet Expressway Stakes at Rosehill on February 11 and again ran into Rain Affair when second in the Group 2 $250,000 Hako Australia Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill two weeks ago.
The five year old has three wins on a slow track but none from two on a heavy and drying conditions leading up to the Chipping Norton will play a great part in the prospects not only of Shoot Out but most of his rivals.
Warwick Farm was rated a heavy 9 this morning but with clearing skies an improving surface could eventuate.
“The track is rated a heavy (9) but up at the start of the 1400 metre chute it’s a heavy (10),” said Track manager James Cataldo.
“I’d be doing the form for a heavy track but with this good weather it will continue to improve.”
Bowman and Waller combined last year to win the Chipping Norton with Danleigh who will be ridden this year by Jim Cassidy. Waller’s other runner is Rangirangdoo who is struggling to find his old form.
Danleigh also has fair wet track form with five wins from eight starts on the slow but only one second from six attempts on the heavy.
Bowman expects the Guy Walter trained Streama to turn the tables on Sea Siren in the Group 2 $175,000 Patinack Farm Surround Stakes (1400m) after that filly narrowly beat her in the Group 2 $175,000 Patinack Farm Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm three weeks ago.
“I take nothing away from Sea Siren, who was a deserved winner, but my filly will definitely improve on that,” Bowman said.
“I think we ran into a horse at peak fitness that raced really well. I was held up coming to the corner and I think I would have beaten her if I could have worked up outside from the 600m.”
