High Chaparral sired a feature double in front of a sell-out crowd when racing returned to Randwick on Saturday.
Promising colt It’s a Dundeel opened proceedings with a G3 victory in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) and High Chaparral flag-bearer Shoot Out returned to his brilliant best in the G1 George Main Stakes (1600m).
It’s a Dundeel (3c High Chaparral – Stareel by Zabeel) came from last to maintain his unbeaten record in the Gloaming Stakes. He had scored on debut at Ellerslie in April and crossed the Tasman for warm-up wins at Wyong and Canterbury earlier this season.
The G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 6 is his next goal and jockey James McDonald believes the colt will be even better over more ground. “The extra distance is going to be his best friend,” McDonald said. “That was a big improvement going from a midweek to a Group race.”
The Murray Baker trained colt wasn’t offered at auction and is a half-brother to Ellerslie stakes-performer Twoeezy (Keeper). They are from a daughter of G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Staring.
Later in the day, Shoot Out did best in a stirring duel with stablemate Rangirangdoo to post his third Group 1 at Randwick following the 2010 Australian Derby and Randwick Guineas.
Shoot Out (6g High Chaparral – Pentamerous by Pentire) was racing for the first time since a close second to More Joyous in the G1 Doncaster Mile in April. “He trialled three times and gets himself fit,” trainer Chris Waller said. “He just doesn’t know how to get beaten.”
Shoot Out is raced by Graham and Linda Huddy and they purchased him for just $15,000 from Oaklands Stud at the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions. Connections have since banked over $2.84 million and his next Group 1 assignment is the $505,000 Epsom Hcp back at Randwick on October 6.
Shoot Out is a half-brother to G3 WATC Oaks winner Cassandara Shadow (Johannesburg). Their dam Pentamerous was originally owned by former WATC chairman John Roberts but she changed hands after his death in 2006.
High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells) has now sired 39 stakes winners of 77 black-type races. He is standing for a $77,000 fee at Coolmore Stud.
– Karl Patterson
SHOOT OUT