Shootoff (NZ) is on course for his first full campaign since the spring of 2011 according to trainer Graeme Rogerson.

The Group 1 Queensland Derby winner is due to run in the International Stakes at Te Rapa and the Auckland Cup before heading back to Australia.

Shootoff (5g Duelled – Athenri by Zabeel) showed a glimpse of his true ability when placed in the G1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.  He was racing second-up since his previous campaign ended in the 2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington.

The lengthy spell came after he sustained a suspensory ligament injury.  “He’s had a long time off and spends most of his time in the water walker,” Rogerson said at the Gold Coast Magic Millions this week.  “He ran enormous the other day at Ellerslie and will be very competitive in the Group 1 at Te Rapa next month.”

Shootoff is from the first crop of Redoute’s Choice sire Duelled who Rogerson trained to a G2 victory in the 2005 AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley.  Rogerson bred Shootoff and catalogued him for the 2009 NZ Bloodstock HIT Sale but took him back home after bidding stalled at $35,000.