Shooting for the stars

Trainer John Wallace has declared his star galloper Shoot Out will win the Cox Plate after the AJC Derby winner overcame a class field and a tough run to easily win the Group Three Liston Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Shoot out started a $2.50 favourite and was forced to sit four wide at stages of the race with jockey Stathi Katsidis unable to find a position to settle in.

It didn't matter as Shoot Out unleashed his typically strong finish, mowing down last year's Liston winner Predatory Pricer ($7) to win narrowly.

Heart of Dreams ($6) made an encouraging return to the track, finishing third, 2.5 lengths off the winner, while Vigor was also strong in his first-up run finishing fourth.

VRC Derby winner Monaco Consul and Melbourne Cup winner Shocking also put in slashing first up performances, with Shocking set to assume Melbourne Cup favouritism after his excellent sixth.

Wallace couldn’t be happier with his four-year-old, saying he is not concerned that Shoot Out was in such good form so early in his preparation. He said he was the horse to beat in the Cos Plate in Moonee Valley in October.

Earlier, Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily ($1.70) had her colours lowered in the Quezette Stakes (1100m), defeated by up and comer Panipique ($15) while in the Vain Stakes (1100m), Blue Diamond winner Star Witness ($3.90) could only finish third, with Toorak Toff ($11) charging home to score and put forward his credentials for the Caulfield Guineas in October.

At Rosehill, Winter King ($1.75) prevailed in the Starlight Stakes (1100m), while Squamosa remained on track for the Golden Rose in a fortnight with a win in the run to the Rose (1300m).