SHOOT OUT GUNS DOWN OPPOSITION IN SIRES PRODUCE STAKES

By Graham Potter | Monday, June 1, 2009

Sires' Produce Stakes (Group 2 - 2yo’s) - 1400m. Time: 1-25.99
Track - Slow 6. Rail - True.
1 Shoot Out; 2 Impulsive Dream; 3 Carrara

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer John Wallace: “I think he is the best horse I’ve had. I wasn’t going to really say ... but I think he’ll win the TJ next Saturday and then I’ll give him a break. He might be winning the VRC Derby this horse mate, he’ll stay all day.

“He cost 15000 at the Magic Millions, Linda Huddy bought him - my owner. Her and her husband Graham are from Mount Isa and they are here today to watch him. I’ve had a lot of good horses, but he is good. He is good and he’ll only get a lot better. He is really good.

“I just took my time with him. He was a bit shinny early on. About six weeks ago he really started to really gallop good. I gave him a trial. He ran a quick time and did everything right. He’s worked with all the good horses I’ve got, Mitanni and them, and gone good with them. He’s always had a fair bit in reserve. Dan Wheeler, who’s strapping him, has ridden him in all of his work and he told me, this is the best horse you’ve had. Don’t worry about that!

“I stuck with Dan (Griffin - who rode the horse in his scintillating debut win at the Gold Coast). Dan does a lot of work for me you know, and loyalty is a big thing. Dan is a very under-rated jockey. He’ll definitely be on him next week. Of course he will.

Jockey Daniel Griffin: “This is my biggest win - my first Group win. It’s just a great feeling. He’s a nice horse and like Johnny (Wallace) said from the get-go, he’s a lovely horse and he’s got what it takes to go through these good races. Johnny is a good judge and you don’t ever doubt him. His staff and that have been just great for the horse. Beautiful.

“He’s got a huge turn of foot. He’s still green mate. He is still doing a few things wrong, but, if he improves on that, there is nothing that’ll beat him in the TJ next week. The TJ is over a mile and he will just love it. Yeah I will be on him. Try and get me off.

“Mate, I knew what I had underneath me, so I wasn’t worried at the top of the straight. When he was going through the run he was sort of in and off the bit a little bit, and he was swapping stride ... a horse on a wet track. He was just struggling a little bit, but I know how quick he goes when you ask him. He’s got the turn off foot. He’s a good horse. “

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Shoot Out): 5.50 out to 8.00.
Favourite (Funtantes): 3.20 in to 3.00. Finished fourth.