Five-time Group 1 winner Shoot Out has been ruled out of the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) on Saturday and will instead begin his spring campaign in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 7.

Shoot Out has been ruled out of the Warwick Stakes this Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart

Shoot Out was one of nine Chris Waller-trained horses nominated to take part in Saturday’s feature race at Warwick Farm but the leading trainer made the decision to give the seven-year-old extra time to prepare for his return to the races.

“I’ll save Shoot Out for the Chelmsford Stakes over the mile,” Waller told News Limited this morning.

“He’s carrying a bit too much weight and I think he’ll only benefit from the extra two weeks of work.”

Defending his title in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 21 remains the major 2013 Spring Racing Carnival goal for the son of High Chaparral although he was included in the nominations for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) after finishing fifth behind Ocean Park in the 2012 edition of the race.

Shoot Out has thrived since joining Waller’s stable at the end of 2011, adding back-to-back victories in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and a win in the 2012 George Main Stakes to the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Australian Derby (2400m) titles that he won under old trainer John Wallace in 2010.

Waller will still dominate the Warwick Stakes field with Metal Bender, Foreteller, Hawkspur, Moriarty, Kelinni and Beaten Up all set to begin their spring campaigns in the race.

Although he will have almost half the field covered Waller is still not the favourite to win the Warwick Stakes for the second time with last start Missile Stakes winner Rain Affair on top of Warwick Stakes betting markets.