Queenslander Shoot Out slayed the giants at Randwick in a dramatic Royal Sovereign Stakes which left plans for Manhattan Rain in disarray.Just 40 minutes after celebrating the winning return of More Joyous in the Light Fingers Stakes on Saturday, Gai Waterhouse was left wondering after glamour colt Manhattan Rain reared up at the start and blew his chances.While the odds-on favourite was trying hard to make his way from the back of the field, substitute jockey Kerrin McEvoy had Shoot Out ($8.50)

Queenslander Shoot Out slayed the giants at Randwick in a dramatic Royal Sovereign Stakes which left plans for Manhattan Rain in disarray.

Just 40 minutes after celebrating the winning return of More Joyous in the Light Fingers Stakes on Saturday, Gai Waterhouse was left wondering after glamour colt Manhattan Rain reared up at the start and blew his chances.

While the odds-on favourite was trying hard to make his way from the back of the field, substitute jockey Kerrin McEvoy had Shoot Out ($8.50) in a good position ready to pounce.

Pounce he did but in a deceptive finish it seemed it was too late with More Than Great ($5) called the winner.

Trainer John Wallace was happy to take second prize but even happier when Shoot Out got the photo decision by a nose.

"He has always been a good horse, right from day one," Wallace said.

"A lot of blokes doubted me but I've never lost faith.

"I would have been happy to run fourth or fifth and was happy with second but this is better."

McEvoy, whose Darley mount Demerit was scratched, picked up the ride when Stathi Katsidis was ruled out with a knee injury.

"Stathi will be disappointed but I wasn't disappointed to get Kerrin," Wallace said.

Wallace's plans for Shoot Out include the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas on the way to the AJC Australian Derby in April.

"I'm sure he can run a distance, the Derby has been the plan all along," Wallace said.

"He'll take the normal route there, the Hobartville and the Guineas races."

More Than Great's trainer David Payne said his charge would also head to the Randwick Guineas but would need a gear change after appearing to baulk at the finish.

"I thought we'd won it," Payne said.

"I'll put blinkers on him next start. He wouldn't go past the other horse (Viking Legend).

"He'll go on the traditional route to the (Randwick) Guineas via the Hobartville."

What happens next for Manhattan Rain is a little less certain for the half-brother to Redoute's Choice.

Waterhouse was toying with running him in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 6 in preference to the Australian Guineas (1600m) on the same program.

Blake Shinn said the colt was fractious before he went into the stalls and had two barrier staff in attendance.

But just when Shinn was satisfied things were under control, Manhattan Rain reared up as the gates opened.

Shinn brought him to the outside in the straight and said at the 200m he still thought he was in with a chance but the effort told and he finished fifth, 2-1/4 lengths from the winner.

"His run came to an end about the 200, it was an impossible task," Shinn told stewards.

Although Manhattan Rain has not had any previous black marks against his name, Waterhouse said he had proved difficult in the past.

"He has had a tendency to cock his leg in the barrier and can be a handful," she said.

Stewards took no action against the horse leaving it to Waterhouse to try to curb his manners.

The trainer had something to smile about after the race with Manhattan Rain's stablemate Viking Legend an encouraging third.