Eyes were ready to feast on the battle between Shoot Out and So You Think as a true testament of action to come this spring when the $200,000 Group Two JJ Liston Stakes (1400m) took to the Caulfield track on Saturday.

While there was an initial disappointment after Bart Cummings revealed he would not risk So You Think due to the wet track conditions, the 2010 Liston Stakes was a thriller and paid well to those who went with the odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Shoot Out confirmed his spot as the 2010 Cox Plate favourite after a stunning run from out wide, and now sits at $5 for the spring feature victory at Ladbrokes.com.au.

With Stathi Katsidis taking the reins once again, the High Chaparral gelding was held out wide for the majority of the 1, 400 metre distance but finished strong to win by a long head.

Trainer John Wallace was quick to express his high ambition for the four-year-old, stating he has no doubts Shoot Out will be the 2010 Cox Plate winner on October 23 – so make sure to wager at Ladbrokes.com.au before the odds get any shorter.

The Mick Price-trained Predatory Pricer took the lead early on and had another stunning run with Craig Newitt in the hot seat, but could not hold off the strength of Shoot Out in the final straight.

Price’s other entrant Heart Of Dreams got his spring campaign off with a strong jump and finished third, while the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking started slow but finished strong to claim seventh.

The next challenge for Shoot Out will be slightly tougher as the in-form gelding looks to face champion mare Typhoon Tracy in the $200,000 Group Two Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 28, so make sure to follow the rewarding odds with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Also taking place at Caulfield on Saturday was the $125,000 Group Three Cockram Stakes (1400m) which saw a surprise win by Rhythm In Paris.

2010 JJ Liston Stakes Results